BritishPlasticsandRubberJulyAug2015_ebook3000

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INTRODUCING INDONESIA: OPPORTUNITIES FOR UK PLASTICS

SPEED UP CHANGEOVERS WITH A MOULD TRANSFER SYSTEM

WHIPPING UP A STORM: INSPIRING POLYMER DESIGN

and RubberB

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ish

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ics

JULY/AUG 2015

WE ALL HAVEUNIQUE PRINTSBLUE

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LEADING EUROPEAN BRANDS

If you take a look outside your window, or walk down a city centre street, chances are you’ll see something

designed by Frank. Frank Stephenson that is, the man

behind the design of some of the most iconic and identifiable cars of the last few decades. Responsible for the revival of the Mini brand in 2001 and also the brains behind the Punto, Bravo, and Nuova 500 – the cars that are credited with saving Fiat’s fortunes - Frank’s is a career that has seen him design for BMW, Ferrari and, currently, McLaren.

I gained this insight listening to a fascinating presentation by Frank at the recent award ceremony of the ‘Design Innovation in Plastics’ student competition in London, where it was clear from the eager queue of student finalists waiting to talk to him after his presentation that they, as well as I, were truly inspired by it. Plastics, Frank told me afterwards, have long had a part to play in the cutting edge of automotive design. The future for McLaren, he explained, holds some “unimaginable and incredibly exciting things, made possible by the use of polymers,” mainly around the themes of personalisation, creativity and the “ultimate driving experience”.

As far as the competition went, the whole final itself was truly inspiring, with each of the finalists producing items from plastics that not only met the brief, which was to redesign a product traditionally made from metal, but which

showed true creative thinking, versatility and ingenuity.

It is hoped by the competition’s organisers, the IOM3, as well as the many industry-based judges and sponsors, that the annual student competition will both educate young designers about the possibilities

with polymers and encourage them to use them in their careers. As Frank summarised: “It is up to us as designers to think in materials – they are the future.”

You can read more about the winning design in our special feature this issue on page 18.

Enjoy the issue

Leanne Taylor, Editor

bp&r

www.britishplastics.co.uk

bp&r

BRITISHPLASTICS&RUBBER

EDITORIALgroup Editor: Leanne Taylor

T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: [email protected]

SALES Group Advertising Manager:

Lisa MontgomeryT: +44(0)1244 680222 E: [email protected]

ARTTracey Roberts

E: [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONS T: +44(0)1244 680222

E: [email protected]

PUBLISHERduncan wood

T: +44(0)1244 680222 E: [email protected]

British Plastics & Rubber is available on free subscription to readers qualifying under the publisher’s terms of control. Those outside the criteria may subscribe at the following annual rates: UK: £80 Europe and rest of the world: £115

British Plastics & Rubber is published monthly (8 times/year) by Rapid Plastics Media Ltd, Carlton House, Sandpiper Way, Chester Business Park, CH4 9QE T: +44 (0) 1244 680222 F: +44 (01244) 671074

© 2015 Rapid Plastics Media Ltd

While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed. All rights for British Plastics & Rubber are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

ISSN 0307-6164 Incorporating Polymer Age and Rubber and Plastics Age.

comment

Inspiring the designersof our future

The whole final itself was

truly inspiring, with each of the finalists

producing items from plastics

that not only met the brief, which was to redesign

a product traditionally made from metal, but

which showed true creative

thinking, versatility and

ingenuity.

THE BIG STORY

Surface Generation, based in Rutland, Midlands, says its ‘Production to Functional

Specification’ (PtFS) process, which uses highly advanced, rapid heat cool technologies to precisely control multiple regions of each mould area (effectively turning the cavity into an intelligent hot runner), can dramatically improve the quality and efficiency of injection moulding. “PtFS manages the temperature of mould tool surfaces via forced air heating and cooling, using multiple air streams applied to the back face of the mould tool in pixelated arrays. This approach allows the optimised delivery of energy, in the right areas of the tool, at the right time, resulting in increased precision, reduced cycle time and lower energy consumption,” explained Halford.

He added that proprietary software allows users to map these pixels into zones and apply complex cure profiles controlled by logic functions to maintain precise control of the mould face during the heat, hold and cool down phases of any given cure/cycle.

“In this way we offer users the chance to vary control fidelity and power with processing issues fixed in software. Energy is used as and when required and it is very normal to see PtFS systems cooling areas during ramp up and heating areas during ramp down to keep everything in tolerance. Essentially we are moving from traditional ‘analogue’ systems to a ‘digital’ PtFS future,” Halford continued.

What makes PtFS different from other related technologies, Halford explained, is its unique blend of hardware, firmware and software, which acts together to manage thermal control of the mould. By creating a physical representation of the digital control environment in the mould face, PtFS is able to couple this with multi-channel control and manipulate everything in software.

When explaining what the PtFS process will mean for the mould designer/maker and toolmaker, Halford said the use of PtFS in injection moulding goes back to the fundamentals of thermoplastic part design, allowing designers to avoid traditional limits when configuring shapes. “With any PtFS area effectively an extension of the hot runner, if used only on the A-surface then weld lines and sink marks become a thing of the past, allowing thick and thin sections to co-exist happily together,” he explained.

“If used on the A and B surface everything becomes possible. No more need to inject quickly before material solidification with massive moulding/packing pressures fighting shrinkage. Instead, time is reallocated with slower injection at vastly reduced pressures followed by staged progressive cooling. With pressures lower, tooling can be lighter which not only reduces the energy required but allows the polymer to be the dominant

thermal driver.”For the toolmaker, Halford says the changes can be

minimal, as at its most basic, localised PtFS inserts made from standard materials are used to fix problem areas, whereas at the other extreme a clean-sheet design can be introduced where the whole mould is converted to PtFS. “Mould flow still works but with offsets, which Surface Generation is deriving using load cells at the moment (e.g. ~75 percent less pressure). For the processor, things change radically. From a cold start, the system is ready to use within minutes. Adjustments can be made in real time on a cycle-by-cycle basis with an instantaneous response,” he added.

Halford says time will tell what the process means for injection moulding as a whole, however, he did say that the results so far, using selected blue chip OEM partners, are not only “stunning”, but had only scratched the surface of what is possible with overmoulding of electronics, one candidate area of particular interest

“Armed with a more precise process, manufacturers using PtFS for injection moulding are already able to mould thinner higher surface finish sections, with reduced raw material to form lighter/flatter components,” Halford said. “This technical breakthrough means that next generation consumer electronics, automotive, lighting, sporting, medical, household and packaging products can be significantly lighter and easier to produce, without compromising strength or quality,” he concluded.

WWW.SURFACE-GENERATION.COM

Scratching the surface of intelligent injection moulding technology

EARLIER THIS YEAR, BRITISH PLASTICS AND RUBBER REPORTED ON

A NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT CLAIMED TO GIVE INJECTION MOULDERS

“UNPRECEDENTED CONTROL AND

FLEXIBILITY” BY USING A UNIQUE AND

INTELLIGENT HEAT/COOL TECHNOLOGY

(MARCH ISSUE). ORIGINALLY DEVELOPED

TO PROCESS CONTINUOUSLY

REINFORCED THERMOSET

COMPOSITES, THE BENEFITS OF THE INTELLIGENT

PROCESS HAVE BEEN ADAPTED FOR USE

WITH INJECTION MOULDING. IN THE

FOLLOWING ARTICLE, WE CAUGHT UP WITH

BEN HALFORD, CEO OF SURFACE GENERATION

- THE UK-BASED COMPANY BEHIND THE

PROCESS - TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT

THE TECHNOLOGY, ITS BENEFITS

AND ITS FUTURE.

4 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

The BOY 55AR series combines advanced technologies with traditional, proven BOY engineering in a package that may be less expensive than you thought...it’s time to revise your expectations and call us on 01933 354460, email [email protected], or visit www.boy.ltd.uk Spritzgiessautomaten

IT’S BACK TO THE FUTURE WITH BOY...

EVISE YOUR EXPECTATIONS.

contentsJULY/AUGUST 2015

bp&r

BRITISHPLASTICS&RUBBER

on the cover Scratching the surface of intelligent injection

moulding technology Surface Generation, based in Rutland, Midlands, says

its ‘Production to Functional Specification’ (PtFS) process, which uses highly advanced, rapid heat cool technologies to precisely control multiple regions of each mould area

(effectively turning the cavity into an intelligent hot runner), can dramatically improve the

quality and efficiency of injection moulding.

SEE PAGE 4

3EDITOR’S LETTER

Inspiring the designers of our future

13FEATURE

Skills: Finding, retaining, benEFItting

It’s the topic that simply won’t go away, but what’s being done about the skills problem within UK plastics? BP&R hears from

industry associations, RAPRA and PMMDA, for the

latest update.

20FEATURE

CAPS AND CLOSURESResearch suggests EU demand for caps and closures to reach

460 bn units by 2021

REGULARS INDUSTRY NEWS 09

MACHINERY 35

Reclamation and Recycling 44

MATERIALS 46

BUYERS’ GUIDE 47

SOFTWARE 49

NEWS FROM THE FRONT LINE 50

24FEATURE

Introducing Indonesia: Increasing

opportunities for the UK Plastics Industry

The BPF’s Justyna Elliott reports on the increasing opportunities

for the plastics industry in Indonesia – and how UK firms

can look to benefit.

27FEATUREBLOW MOULDING

New technology is an intelligent solution for blow moulders

39FEATURE

MOULDING AND TOOLINGDrink-anywhere, take-anywhere,

spill anywhere: Moulding on the move

43FEATURE

TALKING TECHNICAL: IMPROVING PRODUCTIVITY

IN INJECTION MOULDINGIn part three, Craig Forrester

looks at speeding up changeovers with a mould

transfer system

18

6 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

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INDUSTRY | NEWS

GREEN SHOOTS FOR EU POLYMER INDUSTRY – BUT SUPPLY ISSUES THREATEN GROWTH

Demand for polymer across Europe is slowly returning to growth after years of fairly flat market conditions, however, markets are potentially being harmed by the shortages of raw material, says a new report.

The conclusions are drawn from AMI’s ‘2015 European Plastics Industry Report’, which suggests that polymer markets are forecast to grow by 1.3 percent this year, building on a recovery of less than one percent for 2014.

However, even this modest gain is under risk from the region’s tight supply for many materials and rapidly rising prices, the study finds. As a result, it says the European plastics industry in 2015 finds itself in another period of upheaval and change as it looks to pull out of the stagnation caused first by the Great Recession in 2008-2009 and then by the Eurozone crisis in 2012-2013.

In the two years since 2013, demand has barely shifted from just over 36 million tonnes and the volume of polymers consumed in 2014 was still some 10 percent below that used in 2007 before the ‘Great Recession’ hit. However, whilst at a top line level the trend looks pretty static, patterns of demand have been variable by polymer, by application and by country.

Given the cautious outlook for the European economy, polymer demand in Europe is expected by AMI to average growth of just over one percent/year, for the five-year period 2014-2019. Given this, it suggests European thermoplastic demand in 2019 will still be below the 2007 market peak.

WWW.AMIPLASTICS.COM

Europe’s polymer industry is returning to growth, but faces challenges ahead, suggests the new report

UK PLASTICS IS ON THE UP, SUGGESTS LATEST BPF SURVEY

The expectations of the UK plastics industry for the coming year have shown an improvement, according to the British Plastics Federation’s latest Business Conditions Survey. The latest study, conducted over June and early July, revealed further progress for the industry.

“There are improvements in expectations for both revenue growth and profitability over the next twelve months,” said BPF Director-General, Philip Law. “Seventy-two percent of respondents forecasted an increase

in UK sales turnover compared to 66 percent revealed by the last survey in January.”

Export sales expectations were also up, with 39 percent expecting increases compared to 37 percent earlier in the year. There was also a marginal rise in firms expecting an increase in profitability. Law added: “A key feature is that investment in plant and equipment is being maintained at a high level. 81 percent of companies responding have declared investment intentions over the next 12 months with 44 percent also expecting to increase staff levels over the same period.”

WWW.BPF.CO.UK

VICTREX ACQUIRES US-BASED POLYMER GEARS SPECIALIST

Victrex has announced the acquisition of US-based polymer gears specialist, Kleiss Gears, in a move it says will enhance its ability to provide “complete integrated solutions” for its customers.

Kleiss Gears specialises in replacing and complementing metal gear systems with high-performance engineering polymer gears that offer enhanced durability and reliability, better performance, significant reductions in energy consumption and weight, and up to 50 percent reduction in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).

Following the acquisition, Victrex says it will be able to enhance its offering, including rapid development processes such as material selection, gear and tool design, testing and validation, and precision manufacturing capabilities. This, it added, will enable customers to bring robust solutions to the market faster, and subsequently “pave the way to greater mutual success.”

WWW.VICTREX.COM

W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K 11

ROSTI GROUP STEPS FURTHER INTO EUROPE WITH ACQUISITION OF BIANOR

The Rosti Group has acquired the Bianor group of companies (Bianor), from the Dutch-German based private equity company, Nimbus Investments.

Bianor is an injection moulder and assembly-solutions provider to the major OEMs within the small household appliances, electrical goods and safety accessories sectors.

Bianor will be incorporated into the European division of the Rosti Group, led by Executive VP and Deputy CEO, Barry Coughlan, who said the company is “delighted” with the acquisition of Bianor. “This will enhance our capacity, capability, customer base and geographic positioning, giving Rosti the opportunity to support additional customers within our global footprint,” he commented. WWW.ROSTI.COM

WILLIAM BECKETT PLASTICS ACQUIRED BY US MANUFACTURER

US manufacturer of plastic and rubber products, MOCAP LLC, has acquired Sheffield-based William Beckett Plastic Packaging.

MOCAP says the deal will allow for expansion in its current packaging division, known as Cleartec Packaging, which manufactures a full line of transparent semi-rigid plastic packaging tubes and containers.

MOCAP’s current customer base will now have access to the complete line of William Beckett Plastic Packaging Ltd’s solutions including round, square and rectangular telescopic containers, as well as boxes, inserts, multi-packs and cases. Production from the Sheffield facility will remain in place, with additional investments already planned in the expansion of the product line through modernised tooling and equipment to facilitate continued sales growth. WWW.MOCAP.COM

AURELIUS GROUP ACQUIRES REGAIN POLYMERS

Pan-European investment Group, Aurelius, has announced the acquisition of UK-based compounder and recycler, Regain Polymers, for an undisclosed sum.

This is the second recent acquisition of a UK plastics recycler for Aurelius, after it purchased PET bottle recycler, ECO Plastics, in December 2014.

“We are very pleased to be announcing this deal which adds a further plastics recycling business to our portfolio,” said Dirk Markus, Chief Executive of Aurelius Group. “This positive partnership between Aurelius and Regain will create a strong commercial platform to support the Company’s current operations and longer-term strategic development.”WWW.AURELIUSINVEST.COM

A Lancashire-based manufacturer and distributor of plastic products has made a multi-million pound investment in injection moulding machines in order to facilitate its rapid growth.

What More UK Ltd, which has grown to become the UK’s largest manufacturer of ‘Wham’-branded plastic housewares, gardening and storage products, made the £5.4 million investment in new Krauss Maffei injection moulding machines over the last 12 months.

A further £8 million has been invested since 2013 in developing and expanding the company’s distribution centre, based close to Burnley, bringing its total operating area - encompassing manufacturing, distribution and head offices - to just below half-a-million square feet. It is from here the company exports and distributes more than 650 products to 63 countries, including the Far East.

WWW.WHATMOREUK.COM

The organisers of the K Show have described the response to the 2016 edition as “extremely positive” after all 19 halls at the Düsseldorf exhibition centre have completely sold out. According to Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, President and CEO, Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, K 2016 will play host to more than 3,000 visitors from five continents.

“The spectrum of participating companies ranges from globally operating industrial groups to start-ups and covers all segments of the world market for polymers. K 2016 will be presenting a panorama of unmatched breadth

and depth,” Dornscheidt commented.

Innovation will be a central theme of the show for 2016, with companies expected to launch a plethora of new products and ideas at the fair. “Innovative products are the most important assets in a competitive environment. Only those who can offer new technologies that bring real benefits to their customers will be able to hold their own against strong competition,” Dornscheidt explained.

www.k-online.de

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

The Event:ARMO - International Rotational Moulding ConferenceThe Location:Nottingham Conference Centre, Nottingham, UKThe Date: 13-15 September 2015How to Book Tickets: Visit www.armo2015.comAbout: ARMO is an international rotational moulding event and is the largest of its kind for 2015. The event will focus on the concept “Innovate: Create: Rotate” and will feature some 30 speakers over two days of presentations, to an expected audience of 500. The conference will cover both highly technical presentations, as well as unique sessions looking at the creative side of the process, including an exploration of ‘Making Rotomoulding Sexy.’ Expert speakers come from a host of well known rotational moulding companies including Caccia Engineering, Persico, Maus and Merck Group.

The Event:Provocative Plastics: Plastics in design from the practical to the philosophicalThe Location:Arts University, Bournemouth, UK The Date:17-18 September 2015How to Book Tickets: Visit www.provocativeplastics.comAbout: This conference provides an international forum for scholars, art and design practitioners, museum curators and conservators, as well as members of the plastics industry to examine the past, present and potential of plastics in a balanced way. The quality and range of papers will provide a unique and exciting event, which will influence how people think about plastics. Keynote speakers are: Sebastian Conran, Designer; Kigge Hvid, Design to Improve Life; and Eric Bischof, Bayer MaterialScience. Central themes are based around topics such as environment, inspiration, 3D printing, legacy and value.

The Event:Polymers - Environmental and Engineering ConFLictsThe Location:Lancashire County Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester, UKThe Date:23 November 2015How to Book Tickets or Submit a Paper: Telephone +44 (0) 7908 863727About: The theme for the next annual plastics seminar organised by the Manchester Polymer Group (MPG) will focus on the apparent conflicts between meeting increasing environmental demands and satisfying cost-effective performance and specification requirements from many and varying polymeric material types. MPG has issued a call for papers for the event, on all aspects of plastics materials, from polymers to additives, processing, performance and regulatory requirements.

INDUSTRY | NEWS | IN BRIEF

WHATMORE UK MAKES MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT

A SELL-OUT K 2016 PROMISES “UNMATCHED BREDTH AND DEPTH”

12 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

INDUSTRY | NEWS

THE UK MUST EMBRACE ‘INDUSTRY 4.0’ TO STAY GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE, SAYS REPORT

A new report has suggested that the UK must embrace the technology at the heart of the future of manufacturing in order to stay competitive in the world marketplace.

In the report, entitled ‘The UK in 2030 - Key trends Manufacturing’, authors from Pinset Masons and Business in the Community outline the changes that technology, resources, demography, politics and climate change will impact upon manufacturing as we know it, and crucially, how these changes should be embraced.

“What will be important is how manufacturers and policy makers respond to these changes. In particular, in a globalised and competitive world, where governments are already investing heavily in what is known as ‘Industry 4.0’, the UK will need to make sure that it is not left behind,” said David Isaac Partner, Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Technology at Pinset Masons.

“Companies and organisations will need to maximise [the] benefit from connections between people, information and objects to take advantage of tangible commercial opportunities. With rapid advancements

in technology, there will inevitably be an impact on the workforce. Increased automation need not represent a negative scenario, as it could also bring opportunities for augmentation, new skills and the training required to make the most out of process and product improvement.”

The report suggests that investing in smart factories could boost British manufacturing productivity by up to 30 percent, with 3D printing and additive technologies and cloud-based manufacturing solutions also providing increased opportunities, efficiencies and cost savings.

This technology, the report suggests, will be a source of competitive advantage to both companies and countries, with the US, Germany and the emerging economies of Asia all investing in the fourth industrial revolution. “In a globalised world, the UK needs to keep up,” it says, stating that “now more than ever, the winners will be those that understand and embrace the changes technology is bringing and apply them across everything they do.”

WWW.BITC.ORG.UK

Industry 4.0 will

change the face of UK

manufacturing by 2030,

suggests the report

DEMAND AND GROWTH MEANS EXPANSION FOR TH PLASTICS

TH Plastics has recruited an additional five members of staff in what it says is response to growing demand for its ancillary solutions after a 50 percent increase in turnover.

The Glossop, Derbyshire-based firm has taken on two new field sales engineers, sales representatives

for the South West and South East of the country, as well as an office administrator.

“2014 was an incredibly strong year for us, with a 50 percent increase in turnover, and our expanded workforce has its work cut out for 2015. We are already mid-way through several major contracts,” explained Lee Thomas, TH Plastics’ Managing Director.

The company attributes some of its recent growth to the boom in the automotive sector, which accounted for 40 percent of its sales. It also cites the health of the manufacturing sector in general, with many customers requiring new solutions designed to facilitate larger outputs, as well as to replace old systems.

WWW.THPLASTICS.COM

Skills: Finding, retaining, beneFIttingIT’S THE TOPIC THAT

SIMPLY WON’T GO AWAY, BUT WHAT’S BEING DONE

ABOUT THE SKILLS PROBLEM WITHIN UK

PLASTICS? BP&R SPEAKS TO INDUSTRY

ASSOCIATIONS ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS FINDING THE ANSWER.

Comment:

According to the latest BPF Business Conditions Survey for the UK Plastics

Industry, 46 percent of the companies surveyed were having difficulty recruiting appropriately skilled staff. This figure shows little or no improvement from the responses given in the two previous surveys, something the BPF’s Director-General, Philip Law, describes

as a “worrying sign.” With some 44 percent of the companies surveyed indicating plans to recruit staff in the coming 12 months, this doesn’t bode well for companies wanting to fuel expansions, replace ageing workforces or enter new markets.

Wendi Beamson of non-profit membership association, RAPRA, says there is still “serious concern” amongst its members, as well as wider industry, about the real shortage of people with the appropriate combination of knowledge and practical skills available for technical roles.

“Based on the increased availability of Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM)-related courses and students enrolling, considerable progress has been made in altering the general perception of prospects for employment in technical jobs. However, according to feedback from industry generated by RAPRA, the skills gap is still a real issue. The issue of the ‘missing generation’ has not effectively been addressed and is now increasingly manifesting itself as the most experienced and skilled employees retire or are approaching retirement,” she said.

But what can be done? RAPRA, amongst other voices, is now calling for a range of suitable training opportunities to be identified to allow companies to use this option more easily. The association is working to put together “a comprehensive source of reference” for training providers across all the major sectors, that will be available for both companies and individuals to access easily from one place.This, it says, will allow companies to “map” their training needs and book directly from its website onto a variety of courses delivered by different providers.

Steve Harratt, Account Manager at the Polymer Training & Innovation Centre (PTIC), which specialises in the provision of short duration technical training courses, urges employers to embrace the investment involved in training staff in order to sustain future growth. “While our current customer base is wide, and each trading year since PTIC opened has seen an increase in both sales income and candidate numbers trained, we are but scratching the surface of a widely accepted skilled shortage.

“The currently available SIP (Science and

Industry Partnership) scheme can provide some support to offset the initial cost of workforce development, but unless employers realise that without skilled people to do the jobs required of them then UK manufacturing will not be able to compete and retain its current market share on the world stage. Those companies who have made this

investment appear to be growing their own order books perhaps at the expense of those companies who are not doing.”

Also concerned about the effect on the output of the UK plastics industry is Nigel Flowers, Chairman of the Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMMDA), who stresses that the impact of skills and knowhow shortages in the industry goes deeper than just having unfilled vacancies, but also impacts on a company’s ability to utilise technology and processes properly.

“We as suppliers often find that customers do not take full advantage of their investment in new equipment,” Flowers explained. “New equipment can offer a variety of benefits in terms of output, quality and efficiency, but so often these advantages can be overlooked in a pressured

production environment where moulders don’t have the time or the knowledge to optimise their processes to get the best from their investment.”

Flowers said that the message for the long-term future success of the UK plastics industry was clear; that making skills, particularly those related to output and quality, must be a priority, at both apprenticeship and graduate level, as well as up-skilling existing staff.

“It is important that we recognise how technology is affecting our industry, this means that production, process and application engineers all need to understand how to get the best out of complex automation and high-speed production techniques. Our maintenance technicians need to comprehend and support complex electric drive and motion control systems, we cannot afford to stand still,” Flowers added. The comprehensive source of reference for training will be available on RAPRA’s website in the next coming weeks.

www.rapra.orgwww.pmmda.org.ukwww.bpf.co.ukwww.wolvcoll.ac.uk/polymer/

THE ISSUE OF THE ‘MISSING

GENERATION’ HAS NOT EFFECTIVELY BEEN ADDRESSED

AND IS NOW INCREASINGLY MANIFESTING

ITSELF AS THE MOST EXPERIENCED AND

SKILLED EMPLOYEES RETIRE OR ARE APPROACHING RETIREMENT.

beamson

13

14 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

FOAMS AND POLYURETHANES | NEWS

furniture, bedding and seating applications with a solution to both increase comfort levels and ease regulatory compliance, all while reducing raw material components and simplifying foam processing and storage.

“The new GUARD technology is the foundation for novel polymer polyols, which exhibit excellent load-bearing and inherent flame retardant properties in addition

to having ultra-low emission characteristics,” explained Ricco Borella, Marketing Manager at Dow Polyurethanes.

“Combining these features in a single product enables manufacturers to significantly enhance foam performance, delivering benefits in all aspects of production and use.”

Dow says the performance and versatility of its new ‘VORAGUARD’ products, which are based on GUARD technology, means that a single polymer polyol can be used to produce the entire product range without the addition of other flame retardant polyols or high solids co-polymer polyols.

Hence, it says the innovation delivers “unprecedented formulation flexibility” to meet the industry’s specific requirements for a wide range of end uses in high resilience foam production, whilst simplifying the product mix with just one polyol that provides the functionality of what used to require several raw materials.

Addressing the most stringent regulatory requirements, Dow says foams produced with the new VORAGUARD products provide excellent fire retardant properties, meaning that the polyol itself is designed to help extinguish the flame.

This, combined with ultra-low emissions, enables the production of halogen-free, combustion modified, high-resilience foam (CMHR), meeting severe flammability requirements such as the British Crib 5 standard, as well as stringent emission requirements such as those set by LGA in Germany with just one foam. “Subsequently, consumers across Europe benefit from safer, cleaner, and more comfortable mattresses and furnishings,” Dow said.

WWW.DOW.COM

DOW DEVELOPS TECHNOLOGY TO “SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCE” FLEXIBLE PUR FOAM PERFORMANCE

Dow has developed new technology that enables the production of halogen-free, high-resilience foam production using a single polyol.

The new ‘GUARD’ technology is designed to provide manufacturers of flexible polyurethane foams for

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Lusin® Clean 1060 & 1061 for Caps and Closures [email protected] ChemTrend.com

0845 34 54 560

Plastribution’s technical support covers a wide range of services including: Plus…new for 2015!

• Regulatory and compliance

• Efficiency

• Material choices

• Processing advice

• Concept to reality advice

• Troubleshooting

• Training & development

• Re-shoring

• The team now has their own injection moulding tool to produce sample mouldings.

• Support for high density thermoplastic composite materials is being launched soon.

Contact the technical team on 01530 561966, email [email protected],or Skype: Tech.team.plb – General team

@plastribution www.plastribution.co.uk

Need material or technical advice?Require manufacturing guidance?Problems with regulatory issues?

NOW ON SKYPE

Dan JarvisTech.team.dj

Phil LittleTech.team.pl

Beth ElliottTech.team.be

PLA0191_BP&R July 190x125_02.indd 1 29/07/2015 18:0914

15W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

ENGEL UK’S MUCELL MOULDING DEMONSTRATION “ONE OF THE BEST ATTENDED”

An event held at Engel UK’s headquarters on the opportunities offered by MuCell foam injection moulding was one of the “best attended” of those held so far, says the company.

More than 230 plastics processors visited the Engel UK Technology Centre in Warwick over the course of the two-day demonstration event, which was organised in conjunction with Jaguar Land Rover and other industry partners. Together, the companies demonstrated the potential that this technology has for carmakers and their suppliers.

“MuCell offers the opportunity of combining resource-efficient lightweight design with a high degree of cost efficiency and excellent component properties,” commented Graeme Herlihy, CEO of Engel UK. “This combination will ensure that the process continues to rapidly gain importance.”

Under the ‘Engel foammelt’ banner, Engel offers single source production cells for MuCell structural foam

moulding. The company imports MuCell systems from Trexel, USA, for its customers, handling control and safety integration with the injection moulding machine and offering application-specific consulting.

Keynote presentations given to delegates at the event included MuCell-compliant component design, filling simulations, creating premium surfaces in the MuCell process, and the cost-efficiency of the process.

In a live demonstration at the technology centre, Engel took up one of the latest trends: the combination of MuCell with other process technologies. To manufacture ready-to-use components in high-gloss piano black, both Engel foammelt and Engel variomelt for vario-thermal mould temperature control were integrated with an Engel e-victory 120 injection moulding machine and an Engel viper 6 robot. Sample parts were injected during the event. Among other applications, Engel says this dual technology integration “opens up new efficiency and quality horizons for interior applications.”

WWW.ENGELGLOBAL.COM

The sample parts on show demonstrated how MuCell can help to save up to 20 percent weight.

ZOTEFOAMS ON COURSE FOR EIGHT PERCENT GROWTH FOR FIRST SIX HALF OF 2015

Croydon-based cellular material technology specialist, Zotefoams, expects eight percent growth in sales in the first six months of 2015.

The company predicts revenue from MuCell Extrusion LLC, its technology licensing business, to grow by around 40 percent and its High-Performance Products (HPP) sales growth to exceed 20 percent, building on the very strong

performance of this division in 2014.The company’s polyolefin foams

sales volumes have increased by six percent and this, it says, is expected to deliver an increase in revenue of approximately five percent. Zotefoams says all three business units have strong forward order books.

The price of LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene), the company’s major raw material, was at a similar average euro price to the first half of 2014, although prices have risen sharply in recent months.

It said the weaker euro has benefitted raw material purchases, which are significantly euro-based,

and US dollar sales have benefitted from the stronger dollar. However, the company said this has been “more than offset” by the impact of the euro on both Zotefoams’ European sales and, in particular, the unhedged translational impact on the Company’s balance sheet.

In a statement, Zoteforams said: “Whilst being mindful of the potential impact of economic conditions, the company continues to expect 2015 to be another year of progress and remains confident about the long-term prospects for the business.”

WWW.ZOTEFOAMS.COM

Lusin® Purge Compounds for Fast & Effective Colour Changes

Lusin® Clean 1060 & 1061 for Caps and Closures [email protected] ChemTrend.com

W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K16

SOLVAY AND 3A ANNOUNCE “GAME-CHANGING” PARTNERSHIP FOR CREATION OF HIGH TECH FOAMS

Solvay and 3A Composites have announced a new partnership that will see them develop lightweight foam materials for use in advanced transportation, such as commercial aircraft or high-speed trains.

The companies say the new foams will offer a “tailored and cost effective alternative” to traditional, labour-intensive materials often used to reduce the weight of applications such as cabins, ducting and trolleys.

“Our alliance is a game changer in making high-tech foams available on a large scale,” explained Armin Klesing, Global Business Development Manager for Aerospace and Composites at Solvay’s Speciality Polymers Global Business Unit. “Part makers will benefit from greater flexibility in their designs and from uniting strength and insulation performance at the highest level of fire resistance.”

The partners will first build on Solvay’s Radel foam and so-called sandwich materials - used on the Airbus A350 and Solar Impulse - and will later expand to products that Solvay is developing.

“Our company has continuously pioneered foam technology and is now at the forefront of establishing high-volume manufacturing solutions for speciality foams. Our teaming up with Solvay creates a technology leader in the high-end segment of light-weighting with foam,” said Roman Thomassin, CEO of 3A Composites.

The alliance secures global logistics and regional support through its manufacturing and workshop capabilities worldwide. 3A Composites says it expects additional foam extrusion capacity in the United States to come on stream 2016 and will continue to service the market with its existing product lines.

WWW.SOLVAY.COMWWW.3ACOMPOSITES.COM

BAYER “RIGHT ON SCHEDULE” TO MAKE POLYURETHANE FOAM FROM CO2 IN 2016

Bayer MaterialScience says it is “right on schedule” to commence the production of polyurethane foam using CO² from 2016. A production line is currently under construction specifically for this purpose at its Dormagen site in Germany.

The company intends to use the new production line as part of its ‘Dream Production’ project, and for the first time integrate carbon dioxide as a raw material for polyols – crucial precursors for manufacturing foam – on a commercial scale.

A chemical reactor weighing 25 metric tonnes has been put in place at the heart of the line, with the last major part – a CO² tank – due to be installed in the autumn. The installation of the CO² tank will take the construction of the 15 million euro plant into the homestretch.

“If everything continues to run smoothly we will be able to start operations at the beginning of the coming year,” said Dr. Karsten Malsch, Overall Project Manager.

The line is designed for an annual production capacity of 5,000 metric tonnes. The idea is for the innovative polyol, which contains approximately 20 percent CO², to initially be used in the manufacture of polyurethane foam mattresses, with the technology slated for the production of other CO²-based plastics in future.

WWW.MATERIALSCIENCE.BAYER.COM

The first use of the CO2 plastics

production is in foam mattresses

Lusin® Purge Compounds for Fast & Effective Colour Changes

Lusin® Clean 1060 & 1061 for Caps and Closures [email protected] ChemTrend.com

17W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

BASOTECT MELAMINE FOAM FROM BASF FEATURED ON VOLKSWAGEN ENGINE COVERS

BASF’s sound-absorbing Basotect TG melamine foam has been chosen for use in the acoustic layer of a number of Volkswagen vehicle engines produced in North America.

The Volkswagen EA888 engines for the Jetta, Golf, Passat, Tiguan, and Beetle models now feature the Basotect foam, a high-performance material that combines low weight, high sound absorption and high temperature resistance, to provide a quieter drive, despite increased engine performance.

BASF says Basotect TG is the only thermoset melamine foam that is specifically manufactured for thermoforming in order to make sophisticated three-dimensional

components and customised elements for tight spaces.

The use of Basotect on the engine cover, it said, helps to address multiple challenges faced by automotive manufacturers, such as providing “superior” noise absorption, flame resistance and weight reduction in the high heat environment of the engine compartment.

Because of its open-cell, fine foam structures, the sound absorption values in the medium and high frequency ranges are reportedly very good. The use of a non-woven fleece covering the BASF foam helps increase the noise insulation over the whole range of frequencies, says the company, to provide “a superior driving experience.”

Furthermore, BASF pointed to the fact Basotect makes the engine cover flame-retardant and prevents it from maintaining a flame. These fire resistant properties aid in Basotect’s ability to meet the UL 94 V-0 fire rating. The BASF foam can withstand temperatures up to 460 ЉF (240 °C) while maintaining its NVH properties.

With a density of only 9 kg/m³, Basotect TG is also much lighter than conventional insulating materials used in under-hood applications, which is highly desirable as it reduces both fuel consumption and CO² emissions.

WWW.BASOTECT.COM

BASF’s sound-absorbing Basotect TG melamine foam is now being used for the acoustic layer in the Volkswagen EA888 engine for the Jetta, Golf, Passat, Tiguan, and Beetle models produced in North America.

Lusin® Purge Compounds for Fast & Effective Colour Changes

Lusin® Clean 1060 & 1061 for Caps and Closures [email protected] ChemTrend.com

17

18 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

INDUSTRY | FEATURE

Whipping up a storm:The winning plastics design set to revolutionise the ‘99’THIS YEAR’S BATCH OF STUDENT FINALISTS

IN THE ‘DESIGN INNOVATION IN PLASTICS AWARD’ SHOWCASED A RANGE OF INNOVATIVE

AND INGENIOUS PLASTIC PRODUCTS. HERE, LEANNE TAYLOR LOOKS AT THE DESIGN THAT

‘SCOOPED’ FIRST PRIZE.

For his winning design, Bordino took the traditional stainless steel internal pump mechanism, which effectively turns liquid into ice cream, and re-designed it using a blend of polymers. He manufactured the S Pump using injection moulding as opposed to the traditional CNC milling of the existing product.

In doing so, he reduced the number of parts needed to manufacture it from 15 to just seven, producing a lightweight pump that is less bulky, 2kg lighter and much easier to clean, due to its manufacture using antimicrobial plastics and push-fit assembly. By using injection moulding as the method of manufacture, Bordino says the process is more sustainable, less energy intensive and creates less waste.

The judges at the Design Innovation in Plastics award said they were “impressed by his approach of re-engineering the product by reducing the part count and changing the components to suitable polymer materials.”

The summer months in Blighty and beyond often mean one thing – hoards of people enjoying bright white, whippy-style ice cream characterised by soft

peaks and a chocolate flake, regularly served from the back of a van playing a tinny version of ‘Greensleeves’. Whilst enjoying the helical treat, few have probably wondered much about the production process behind creating the iconic summer specimen. That is, until now, where a design inspired by a review of the existing parts used in the dispensing machines, and how they could be improved by replacing traditional materials and processes, has won one student the top prize at the 2015 ‘Design Innovation in Plastics’ (DIP) Awards.

Alexander Bordino, a second-year BSc Product Design student from Nottingham Trent University saw his ‘S Pump’ – a redesigned version of the traditional ‘R Pump’, currently fitted to existing Carpigiani soft ice cream machines – triumph at this year’s Awards, under the brief of transposing a product traditionally made in metal into plastics.

“Not a lot of people have considered how soft ice cream is made,” said Bordino. “My family has been involved in ice cream sales for quite a long time, so the pump is a device I am familiar with and is something I have used myself,” he added. “I could see it was bulky, as well as difficult to clean, and felt something could be done with it. Because the competition brief was so broad, I wanted to design a niche product which the vast majority of people wouldn’t have come across.”

Bordino explained that the existing pump, crafted from stainless steel, not only suffers from a lack of hygiene, but also awkward dis- and re-assembly, which is a problem given it needs to be taken apart to be cleaned every day. “Durability is also a problem, as the gears in the pump are subject to constant wear and tear. The existing pump normally needs to be replaced at least three times a year at a cost of around £200 per time,” he said.

18 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

On the brief itself, Bordino said plastics and rubbers were “fantastic materials to work with,” and that they offered an “array of opportunities to replace for the better aspects of traditional manufacturing processes.” His only difficulty was sourcing the most suitable plastic from the vast array of materials to choose from.

Other finalists hoping to take advantage of the DIP post-award support in commercialising their products are Megan Cattley, a second year Design for Industry student at Northumbria University, who was placed second overall for her degradable surgical equipment for ophthalmic operations, as well as Martyn Billings from Coventry University, for his shock absorbing, non-conductive and non-sparking polymer hammer.

The judges said the standard of entries this year was “exceptionally high” and that all

of the finalists were deserving of their places. “We want these designers to have a great future in design and hope that this competition has encouraged them to design using plastics,” said Martin Sixsmith, Chairman of DIP.

The theme for next year’s awards – Polymers for Pets – was announced during the 2015 Awards Ceremony. This, said DIP, would involve a brief encouraging the design of plastics products to improve animal welfare.

www.designinnovationplastics.org

“Alex took a product that has remained untouched for years due to the dominant market position of the manufacturer,” explained Richard Brown, Managing Director of G&A Moulding Technology and also Chairman of the judging panel.

“His research of the market demonstrated an understanding of the challenges the end users faced and he took account of this in his redesign. His use of material selection and approach to manufacturing to provide a total solution was well though through and executed.”

Bordino has won a £1,000 cash prize and work placements with both Bayer MaterialScience in Leverkusen, Germany, and PriestmanGoode, a leading global design and brand experience agency specialising in aviation, transport and product design. In addition, he will work with the DIP mentoring team to help the S Pump achieve commercial realisation.

“As part of my research I spoke to a lot of ice cream retailers and went to a lot of manufacturers who helped me develop the product further. They told me its something they really like and would certainly use.” Bordino told BP&R. “The product is patent pending at the moment and then I hope to take it to commercial realisation.”

ALEXANDER BORDINO, A

SECOND-YEAR BSC PRODUCT DESIGN STUDENT FROM

NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY SAW HIS ‘S PUMP’ –

TRIUMPH AT THIS YEAR’S AWARDS,

UNDER THE BRIEF OF TRANSPOSING

A PRODUCT TRADITIONALLY

MADE IN METAL INTO PLASTICS.

The Pump is an integral part of the

manufacture of whippy-

style ice cream

Alexander Bordino and the winning ‘S Pump’

19W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

20 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

CAPS AND CLOSURES | CASE STUDY

for Extrusion & Moulding ProcessesCOOLING FLUIDS Expert technical advice and

factory direct pricing, since 1998Expert technical advice and

factory direct pricing, since 1998

Specialist Fluid Solutions www.hydratech.co.uk [email protected] tel: 01792 586800www.hydratech.co.uk [email protected] tel: 01792 586800

Twist and shout: New beverage cap set to shake up

the drinks market

Consumers are being given the opportunity to mix their own drink with the launch of a novel

new cap design. Developed and patented by Hong

Kong-based Incap Ltd, the new twist-off style holds and then dispenses either dry or liquid ingredients into a PET bottle containing still or carbonated water.

The product is designed to cater for an emerging market trend for beverages enriched with vitamins, minerals or probiotics, where dry or liquid additives are stored in a separate chamber within the cap, eliminating the need for

preservatives and extending the shelf life of the beverage itself. The user simply twists the cap to release the additive, triggering the mixing procedure when the product is ready for consumption.

“A beverage is so much more interesting if consumers can prepare their very own special drink. Consumers using our product feel that they are contributing to their health and wellbeing.

They also regard this cap as a fun novelty item, as these caps allow them to add the ingredients themselves and watch them dissolve in their beverage,” commented Co-Owner and European Director of Incap, Axel Hauck.

For beverage manufacturers, Hauck says the cap offers a host of new product and growth opportunities. Liquid or granule additives can be stored within the cap, and these can be mixed with cool, hot, still or carbonised bottled beverages. Because the bottom of the cap is hermetically sealed, it can

be sold alongside the beverage or as a standalone refill product. “Athletes can conveniently carry their additives in their gym bags, children can mix in apple or orange flavours while travelling – there is no end to the creative potential of this innovative product,” Hauck added.

German company, Horst Hähl, took on the development of the prototype mould, whilst Dutch plastics

specialist, Teamplast, provided input to optimise the manufacturing process. Precision and repeatability trials were conducted on an eight-cavity, all-electric IntElect injection moulding machine from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag.

Featuring wall-thickness levels of less than one millimetre and an extremely

complex geometry, the cap has to withstand high pressure and different temperatures. The sealing properties of the cap membrane must not be jeopardised, particularly when carbonised beverages or hot liquids are being bottled.

There is no end to the

creative potential

of this innovative

product

Incap has created a new

cap that dispenses ingredients

into the beverage

21W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

for Extrusion & Moulding ProcessesCOOLING FLUIDS Expert technical advice and

factory direct pricing, since 1998Expert technical advice and

factory direct pricing, since 1998

Specialist Fluid Solutions www.hydratech.co.uk [email protected] tel: 01792 586800www.hydratech.co.uk [email protected] tel: 01792 586800

“Mould optimisation trials quickly revealed that the production of Incap dispensing caps required maximum precision in terms of dimensional stability and geometry of the carrier components,” explained Jürgen Mangold, Managing Director of Horst Hähl. “To guarantee the process safety and meet the product’s exacting precision and repeatability requirement, an all-electric IntElect machine from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag was used throughout the trials.”

The companies worked closely throughout all stages of development to produce a mould for large-scale production, and the caps are now being produced at the Dutch Teamplast facility.

www.sumitomo-shi-demag.euwww.kunststoffspritzguss-werkzeugbau.dewww.teamplast.nl

RENMAR SUPPLIES A COOL SOLUTION FOR CAPS AND CLOSURES

Ancillaries supplier, Renmar, has announced the availability of a new ‘cap cooler’ in the UK and Ireland.

The cap cooler, from Italian handling systems manufacturer, Virginio Nastri, has been designed for companies who manufacture multi-cavity caps and closures and who are currently using expensive-to-run chillers, or very long, fan-cooled belt conveyors as cooling mechanisms.

Renmar says the cooler can replace these systems by providing both low energy consumption and compact design.

Two 0.12kw motors provide the power for the cap cooler and payback has reportedly been estimated as weeks as opposed to months. The cooler has a footprint of 1500mm by 700mm, making it ideal for use in confined spaces, which is its key principle.

The footprint is a constant dimension, what changes – depending on the material being cooled – is the height. The cooling time dictates the height, so each cap cooler is manufactured to the customer’s requirement. This, says Renmar, then determines the length of the belt and the speed that it travels.

To keep the pricing at a competitive level, the cap cooler is a modular design, which also makes it easy to service and maintain, added Renmar.

WWW.RENMARLTD.COM

The new cap cooling solution from Virginio Nastri, available in the UK and

Ireland from Renmar

NEWS

Developed by a global project

team, the dispensing cap can be sold alongside

beverage bottled or as refills

21W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

RESEARCH SUGGESTS EU DEMAND FOR CAPS AND CLOSURES TO REACH 460 BN UNITS BY 2021

The demand for caps and closures across Europe is expected to top 460 billion units by 2021, with plastics accounting for a major share.

According to the latest study from market intelligence firm, Ceresana, plastic is “by far the most important material for these articles of daily use,” for use on products including bottles, jars, containers, canisters, tubes, stand-up pouches and beverage cartons.

The study confirms the growing trend of using plastics to replace traditional materials such as aluminium, tinplate, glass or cork, is set to continue, suggesting benefits such as low weight, versatility, cost and environmental advantages, improved quality and security, as well as offering new opportunities for packaging design, as the drivers for change.

The market for plastic caps and closures is profiting substantially from an increasing use of packaging made of plastics, says the report, particularly single-use PET bottles. Rising demand for bottled water and smaller packaging sizes, as well as dispensing systems, will provide important stimuli to growth in the future.

CLOSURE INNOVATION KEEPS PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS STERILE AFTER OPENING

RPC Bramlage Bellignat has developed and patented a completely airtight closure that it says makes it possible to protect sterile cosmetic formulas before and after opening, without the need for preservatives.

The DEFI (exclusive intact formula device) distribution system guarantees the product remains sterile throughout its life even after opening; therefore enabling the creation of large-size packs for increased consumer convenience compared to mono-dose, uni-dose and single dose formats.

The four-piece cap includes a membrane that rises when the tube is squeezed and resumes its normal position when pressure is released from the tube. Each squeeze of the tube is equivalent to breaking open a new sterile monodose.

The research finds plastics containers are becoming more important, not only in the beverage market, but also in the cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industries. Often, this increase occurs at the expense of glass containers. As plastic containers are usually used in combination with a closure made of plastic, market dynamics of the two are closely correlated, says Ceresana.

The quality of plastics caps is found to be improving continuously. Therefore, they are gaining access to segments that traditionally used other materials. Examples of this trend are in market sub-segments such as beer or liquid foodstuffs including sauces and spreads.

The report finds that demand for technically more complex closures and dispensers, such as those that are equipped with security or tamper-evident functions, will rise in some segments in the future. Childproof closures are also becoming more important, especially with regards to the pharmaceutical market. In addition, a growing elderly population in several industrialised countries means the need for increased attention to aspects of design such as easy opening and resealing, as well as dispenser systems that are equipped with better dosing and handling.

WWW.CERESANA.COM

The high-precision parts within the

cap are manufactured to one hundredth of a

millimetre, says RPC. They provide cohesion with the entire

unit, while the lid is perfectly sized to the cap with no gaps, and

closed with a tamper-proof clip that is removed when the tube is first opened.The closure system was developed in

cooperation with - and exclusively for - French skincare brand, of the Pierre Fabre Laboratories, which produces a range of skincare products dedicated to sensitive skin.

WWW.RPC-GROUP.COM

22 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

The cosmetic formula remains sterile inside the tube, even with

multiple use

23W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

96 cavity mould - 1.8s cycle time• Maximum output with minimal cost• Reduced energy costs through hybrid technology• Sizes from 150T – 750T clamp force

[email protected] 739500www.sumitomo-demag.co.uk

El-Exis SP – incredibly fast

High performancepackaging solutions -

El-Exis SP 420for cap production

SNAPPY CLOSURE RECOGNISED AT INTERNATIONAL PACKAGING AWARDS

A reclosing device for plastic packaging has received an award from the World Packaging Organisation (WPO).

Designed and manufactured by Sweden-based packaging manufacturer, Ecolean, the ‘SnapQuick’ was launched to market in late 2013 and has rapidly gained international recognition as a lightweight and convenient reclosing device, winning four international awards.

The SnapQuick closing device is a feature integrated into packaging designed to be both more convenient for the user, as well as reducing unnecessary food waste.

It consists of two male buttons, two female buttons and a hinge. Once a package is opened, users simply fold the top and give it a light pinch to reclose and seal.

“With SnapQuick we introduce a new and easy way of reclosing. This reclosing device is a great example of Ecolean finding innovative solutions to meet the growing market demand for convenient packaging,” said Peter Nilsson, CEO at Ecolean.

In this year’s World Packaging Awards, SnapQuick was selected as the winner in a competition that included 265 entries from 38 countries from around the world.

WWW.ECOLEAN.COM

The SnapQuick

closure has picked up several

international awards

since its launch

NEW CLOSURE IS A GEMSTONE FOR PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS

Global Closure Systems (GCS) has launched a new bicolour, flip-top closure for the personal care market, including shampoos, shower gels and skin care applications.

Produced by Obrist, one of GCS’ plants in Spain, the new ‘Diamond’ range is designed to meet the expectations of the beauty and cosmetic industries in terms of aesthetics, convenience and on-the-shelf differentiation.

Diamond is an oval, bi-injected snap hinge closure, available in a range of colour combinations, including translucent. It has a rounded shape, matte base and glossy lid. The

closures are designed to be easy-to-use for consumers, who just need to slide a finger up to the lid to open. The range has a headstand pack option, which ensures that the content can be dispensed and accessed more easily.

Diamond is suitable for PET, PE and PP bottles and has been designed for a push-on application. Its PCO 28mm neck finish offers a material savings in the bottleneck itself, says GCS.

WWW.GCS.COM

GCS has designed the Diamond range for the personal

care markets

24

Introducing Indonesia: Increasing opportunities for the UK Plastics Industry

WITH A POPULATION OF NEARLY 250 MILLION,

INDONESIA IS THE FOURTH MOST POPULOUS COUNTRY

GLOBALLY WITH A LARGE PROPORTION OF AFFLUENT MIDDLE CLASS. ACCORDING

TO THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP (BCG)

FORECAST PUBLISHED IN PLASTICS AND RUBBER

ASIA MAGAZINE, BY 2020 INDONESIA’S MIDDLE CLASS

WILL DOUBLE FROM THE CURRENT 74 MILLION TO

141 MILLION. BY THEN, SLIGHTLY MORE THAN HALF

OF THE POPULATION WILL BE CATEGORISED

AS AFFLUENT.

JUSTYNA ELLIOTT, SENIOR BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE AT THE BRITISH PLASTICS FEDERATION, REPORTS ON THE

INCREASING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY IN INDONESIA – AND HOW UK FIRMS CAN LOOK TO BENEFIT.

With Indonesia’s GDP recorded in 2013 at 5.6 percent growth, this fast developing market offers huge potential to the plastics industry.

According to the World Bank report based on 2011 data, the Indonesian economy is the world’s tenth largest by nominal GDP (PPP based), with the industry sector having the largest share at 46.4 percent of GDP (2012), followed by services (38.6 percent) and agriculture (14.4 percent). According to a report by McKinsey Global Institute, the country is predicted to become the world’s seventh largest economy by 2030, with around 90 million consumers fuelling the country’s economy, ranking it amongst the top in the world.

The local Government in Indonesia has initiated a scheme where 70 percent of plastics products must be produced domestically, as quoted by Plastics and Rubber Asia, which opens huge possibilities for skills development, machinery and materials exporters.

The plastics industry in IndonesiaLast year, a statement from the Office of the Chief

Economist, which was published by the country’s Bank Mandiri, indicated that plastic is considered as a key material given its advantages of light weight, practicality, durability and resistance to certain substances.

Plastic consumption in Indonesia, according to the Indonesian Olefin, Aromatic and Plastic Association (INAplas) is still relatively low on a per-capita basis at just over 17 (kg) per year, compared to around 35 kg in Malaysia, 40 kg in Thailand and Singapore and around 100 kg in Western Europe. This highlights the scope for future growth, as personal income continues to rise in Indonesia’s consumption-led economy.

The domestic industry supply contributes to 3.6 million tonnes of plastics a year towards the total demand of 4.3 million tonnes, with the rest of the material imported. Besides the food and beverage industry, which accounts for the bulk of plastic use in Indonesia, agriculture and the construction sector as well as the automotive and electronics industries are the main buyers of plastics.

Raw materialsLocal plastic

makers rely on imports due to raw material shortages in Indonesia. Currently over 40 percent of the petrochemicals used in the plastics industry come from abroad.

Most of the nation’s plastics imports, comprising principally propylene and polyethylene, come from neighboring countries, including Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as from Europe, the US and the Middle East. With a high demand for raw materials, local companies are getting more interested in recycling process and use of recycled material in their production.

Recycling The increasing use of recycled materials is one way

to address the local plastic industry’s dependence on imports, while at the same time tackling the pressing issue of municipal waste. Recycling is still in its early stages in Indonesia due to a lack of supporting infrastructure of waste collection etc. and it is handled mostly by small businesses on a fairly small scale.

However, interest in building modern and larger-scale recycling facilities is growing, as illustrated by the case of PT Enviro Pallets, which recently set up a plant in Bali to turn some 30 tonnes of household and industrial waste into plastic pallets every day. With most plastic waste still disposed of in landfills and private consumption increasing fast, there is plenty of room for growth. Investing in environmentally sustainable solutions is also a prudent measure for plastic manufacturers in anticipation of growing environmental awareness among the Indonesian population. Regulations are likely to become more supportive, as large Indonesian cities struggle to deal with heaps of waste as quoted by the Global Business Guide.

Packaging sector

Indonesia’s plastic packaging industry grew by eight

W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

25

percent to around 55 trillion RP ($5.3 billion USD at the time) in 2013, according to the Indonesian Packaging Federation (FPI). The shift from traditional markets to modern supermarkets and convenience stores creates a lot of demand for packaging for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), particularly food and beverages. Almost 70 percent of the total plastics use was accounted for by the food and beverage packaging sectors.

According to the Indonesian Packaging Association, more than half the demand is made up of plastic flexible/rigid packaging, driven by increased packaging

requirements from the domestic food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. As reported by the Jakarta Post, the Secretary-General of the

Indonesian Olefin, Aromatic

and Plastic Industry Association (INAplas), Fajar Budiyono, said that local producers anticipated that domestic sales of raw materials and finished products would be US$4.8 billion this year, which would be up seven percent from last year. “Sales will be driven principally by demand from the industrial sector, mainly the food and beverage industry,” Fajar said on the sidelines of an industry conference in Jakarta. The food and beverage industry would comprise 40 percent of the industry’s sales this year, followed by agriculture packaging (15 percent), automotive and electronics makers (7.5 percent) and the construction sector (7.5 percent), according to Fajar.

Automotive industryBoth the Indonesian car and motorcycle market is

dominated by foreign brands, particularly Japanese, such as Toyota and Honda. Developing a domestic production base for environmentally friendly and low cost cars has been a key goal of the Government through the Ministry of Industry. A programme is being put together that will incentivise manufacturing of ‘green’ hybrid cars. Such cars would be locally made, with 80 percent of components being both engineered and produced in Indonesia. Fuel consumption would not exceed 22 km per litre and would meet Euro 3 emission standards with a target of 400,000 units to be produced annually.

Exporting to IndonesiaImport tariffs on basic petrochemical products for

the plastics industry, while intended to protect local raw material producers, jeopardise Indonesia’s odds of becoming a regional hub for the industry. Duties vary between zero and 20 percent depending on origin and the nature of the product. Local industry representatives are especially concerned about plastic imports from Thailand and have appealed to the Government to improve upstream incentives and remove all import duties on petrochemical feedstock.

Both the upstream and downstream plastics industry will be hard-pressed to defend their home turf against foreign competition, but curtailing imports of petrochemical feedstock or plastics is becoming hard to justify amid tightening economic integration within the ASEAN region and between ASEAN and other countries. A protectionist stance would also burden the local food and beverage industry, which itself faces tough competition from imports. The only realistic option is to boost the competitiveness along the entire hydrocarbons-to-packaging production chain. This will require local firms to upgrade their equipment and enhance their production methods, which in turn creates investment opportunities

and an appealing market for foreign machinery manufacturers.

Summary Booming demand for consumer products and plastic

packaging, an anticipated easing of feedstock import restrictions and the need to modernise equipment make a compelling case for investment in Indonesia’s

plastics and plastic packaging industry. The restructuring needed to make the local industry competitive on a global scale will require significant investment and innovation.

The recycling business offers particularly alluring opportunities for experienced foreign companies to put to use their knowhow and technology. The country’s competitive advantages in manufacturing, such as affordable industrial land and a large and competitively compensated workforce, create attractive opportunities for the packaging industry.

PLASTICSAND RUBBER

INDONESIA 2015 - A FREE STAND FORUK EXHIBITORS

The last edition of the country’s tradeshow, Plastics and Rubber (P&R) Indonesia, took place in November 2014 in Jakarta. The show covered over 21,600m² floor space and attracted over 650 exhibitors from 30 countries. Plastics and Rubber Asia Magazine reported that many of the exhibitors “established sales and distribution networks in Indonesia”. The next edition of the show will take place in Jakarta between 18th and 21st November 2015 and UK exhibitors can apply for a grant of £2,500 towards their stand cost, meaning a 9sqm stand cost would be covered. The British Plastics Federation (BPF) is offering interested companies to exhibit as part of its Pavilion, meaning British companies will have a better presence at the exhibition. For more information on the UK Pavilion at Plastics and Rubber Indonesia please visit www.bpfevents.co.uk

W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

BLOW MOULDING | NEWS

SIDEL’S NEW TECHNOLOGY IS AN INTELLIGENT SOLUTION FOR BLOW MOULDERS

Provider of PET solutions for liquid packaging, Sidel, has recently developed new quality control and analysis technology that it says is a “significant innovation” in bringing control and self-regulation to the blow moulding process.

The ‘Intelliblower’ is a patented technology that Sidel says ensures greater accuracy in distribution of material during the production of individual bottles, with the elimination of inconsistencies resulting in improved quality, regardless of bottle weight.

Prior to the Intelliblower, quality control for PET bottle blowing involved frequent sampling and laboratory testing of bottles. This was then followed by lengthy manual adjustments to the process and lines becoming inefficient. By controlling parameters of the pre-blow phase that strongly impact final material distribution instead of simply focusing on regulation of heating, Sidel says Intelliblower uses PET material “optimally and cost efficiently.” It is therefore able to have a higher impact on production uniformity and packaging quality, irrespective of the weight of the bottle being produced.

Self-regulating, the Intelliblower system automatically detects and corrects process deviations on the shape of each bottle being blown, adapting to maintain an even material distribution with only the most minor variations.

This ensures that every milligram of PET is correctly allocated. Sidel says this control, combined with the process capability of the Intelliblower, results in reduced waste and excellent PET lightweighting potential, even with recycled material.

Sidel Intelliblower is designed to be user-friendly. Through the Human Machine Interface (HMI) of Sidel’s Matrix blow moulding machines, process values of individual blowing stations are recorded, along with dedicated graphs. This gives operators a comprehensive overall picture of the process performance. It also alerts them to any potential inconsistencies, indicating those stations where any bottles are being blown outside accepted tolerances.

Sidel says that with the Intelliblower, beverage producers are able to enjoy improved bottle quality due to higher blow moulding performance along with an increased insight into the operation of their production equipment. This, it says, will allow them to benefit from both greater package consistency and subsequently, better brand value.

WWW.SIDEL.COM

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The Intelliblower and the Matrix blow moulding machine

The Intelliblower software is designed for greater consistency in the blow moulding process

The Intelliblower technology analyses and assesses the bottles being produced

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COLLABORATION SEES NEW BLOW MOULDING MACHINE LAUNCHED

Greiner Packaging and Mould & Matic have collaborated to produce Kavoblow, a new injection stretch blow moulding machine for the plastics industry.

The machine is based on the one-step method of blow moulding for the manufacture of hollow parts, where the preforms are inflated immediately after the injection process while still warm. The companies say they have been working since 2009 on refining the process to make it more efficient.

“High flexibility coupled with maximum productivity are the major advantages of the new method. Kavoblow allows for the manufacture of packaging with non-round and off-centre mouths, as well as individual colours in many kinds of material such as PET, PP, and more,” explained Günter Ausserwöger, Head of Division for Kavoblow. “The range of mouth diameters extends from very small, for example for liquor, to very large wide-neck containers for the food industry, for example.”

Kavoblow reportedly offers greatly improved efficiency and lower production costs compared with existing machine concepts, for example, preforms are line-produced in multiple rows. Several production pieces can therefore be made within a shorter period of time.

The technology is aimed particularly at the 5-20 million units segment and Ausserwöger says combines the high quality of a one-step production process with the efficiency previously reserved for two-step systems, where the preforms are cooled and stored after the injection procedure before being reheated and inflated in a second production process.

So far, products produced with Kavoblow have been primarily for the ketchup, honey, marmalade, sauce, mouth rinse, and household cleaner markets. But Ausserwöger says an increasing number of customers from other sectors, such as the chemical, cosmetic, and healthcare industries, are conveying interest in packaging concepts based on the technology.

“With Kavoblow, we offer the optimal technology for fulfilling individual market needs while at the same time ensuring high productivity. Customer-specific special editions can be produced in a cost-effective manner. We guarantee the highest quality with the one-step method – the stroke marks that occur during storage in the two-step method have become a thing of the past,” Ausserwöger concluded.

WWW.GREINER-GPI.COMWWW.MOULDANDMATIC.COM

The Kavoblow machine combines flexibility and productivity during injection stretch blow molding in the plastics industry. Credit: Mould & Matic

EXTRUSION BLOW MOULDING ATTACHMENT NOW AVAILABLE IN UK

Millmerran Research and Manufacturing Ltd is offering customers in the UK a fully automatic, hydraulic blow moulding attachment with LCD touch screen controls, for the production of bottles and other hollow items in a variety of materials.

Labtech Engineering, one of the largest producers of laboratory polymer processing machines, for which Milmerran is the UK agent, manufactures the attachment. The machine can be attached to any of Labtech’s 20mm, 25mm or 30mm single screw extruders as well as its laboratory twin-screw compounders.

The attachment features a fully automatic unit with large acrylic windows for clear visibility of the process. The large door opens upwards for easy access to the mould area during set up, but is provided with safety interlocks to prevent access during the actual moulding process.

The controls are easy to use with the LCD colour touch screen, and the machine can be set to fully automatic as well as manual. The pneumatic inflation controls are located on a separate panel next to the door. The die is equipped with parison adjustment as well as screws for centring of the die lips. Discharge pins will hold the bottles or other items after blowing to allow additional cooling before then being automatically dropped into the discharge chute. The machine comes with a parison hot cutter suitable for all conventional moulding resins, which ensures a trouble-free clean cut off.

WWW.MILLMERRAN.CO.UKWWW.LABTECHENGINEERING.COM

The Labtech extrusion blow moulding attachment

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The new facility at RPC Promens

in Rushden, Northamptonshire

RPC PROMENS ‘BLOWS’ LIFE INTO THE FUTURE WITH NEW SKILLS AND TRAINING FACILITY

RPC Promens Industrial has created a specialist blow moulding training facility at its factory in Rushden, Northamptonshire, for both training new staff as well as providing customers with an insight into the process.

The new training centre has been established within a dedicated area of the factory and features a GDK blow moulding machine for practical work and demonstrations along with a separate training and lecture room.

The facility will enable workers throughout RPC’s blow moulding operations to further improve their skills, as well as allowing new starters and apprentices to combine their work in the factory with both practical and theory learning in the training facility.

Courses will also be made available to external parties and a programme of school visits will provide a valuable insight into career opportunities, says RPC. The courses, which will lead to nationally recognised QCF qualifications, are run by two dedicated and experienced trainers.

Carl Boniface, the site’s Technical Development Manager, said that ensuring the “immense knowledge base and in-house expertise” of its current blow moulding technologists was maintained and passed on is essential.

“We believe we can best achieve this through the establishment of our own training programmes, which will combine the necessary theory and practical training with the real-life requirements of a busy manufacturing operation,” he added.

WWW.RPC-GROUP.COM

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伀䘀䘀䤀䌀䤀䄀䰀 匀唀倀倀䰀䤀䔀刀 伀䘀 吀倀唀 䘀刀伀䴀

倀漀氀礀攀猀琀攀爀 愀渀搀 倀漀氀礀攀琀栀攀爀ⴀ戀愀猀攀搀 吀倀唀猀

眀眀眀⸀最愀稀攀挀栀椀洀ⴀ瀀氀愀猀琀椀挀猀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀 吀㨀 ⬀㐀㐀 ⠀　⤀ ㈀㌀㔀 㐀㌀㈀ 㘀　 䔀㨀 瀀氀愀猀琀椀挀猀⸀甀欀䀀最愀稀攀挀栀椀洀⸀挀漀洀

䤀刀伀䜀刀䄀一글

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PIPE AND PROFILE | NEWS

KRAUSSMAFFEI BERSTORFF STARTS 2015 WITH “MULTIPLE INSTALLATIONS” OF LARGE DIAMENTER PIPE SYSTEMS

KraussMaffei Berstorff says it started 2015 with “multiple installations” of large-diameter pipe systems around the world.

The company says the demand for both high quality and increased output by polyolefin pipe processors is responsible for the increase in orders, as well as the replacement of ageing pipe systems in developing markets.

“Particularly in large pipe technology, perfectly tailored system components are indispensable in achieving optimum pipe quality,” explained Andreas Kessler, General Sales Manager at KraussMaffei Berstorff’s Munich facility.

KraussMaffei Berstorff pipe

head with spiral distributor system

High-quality pipes are crucial because only error-free, flush welding can achieve optimum pressure stability and durability of the installed large pipes and prevent time-consuming pipe rotations during the installation stage.

“Three major factors influence the purchasing decision of the processor: high outputs, narrow wall thickness tolerances and precise melting temperature control for the best possible calibration control. This ensures that stringent requirements pertaining to wall thickness and ovality are observed,” he added.

KraussMaffei Berstorff says its systems meet these advanced requirements by combining single-screw technology, a spiral distributor pipe head concept and calibration technology that is designed with these needs in mind.

“In addition, our large pipelines can also be equipped with efficient internal pipe cooling (IPC), which cools the interior as well as the exterior of the pipe and results in an increase in output of up to 60 percent,” Kessler continued.

The company says it is noticing “lively project activity”, in particular in the Near East and Middle East, but also in Africa and Southeast Asia.

“Soon, additional systems will be commissioned there that will produce large pipes for water pressure applications,” Kessler said. “These pipes are now becoming a common replacement for concrete or metal pipes due to their excellent product properties, such as a low weight and ease of installation.”

WWW.KRAUSSMAFFEIBERSTORFF.COM

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TOTAL SETS A NEW STANDARD IN MULTILAYER COMPOSITE PIPE PRODUCTIVITY

Total says its latest high-density polyethylene pressure pipe grade raises processing performance to a level “never seen before”.

New XSene XRT70 is said to combine excellent processability with elevated temperature performance and long-term stability for successful manufacture of gas and water pressure pipes.

XSene XRT70 is a PE-RT (PE with Raised Temperature resistance) Type II HDPE produced using Total’s Advanced Double Loop technology. Total says high extrusion speeds can be reached at low extrusion temperatures and without any melt fracture, while keeping an excellent surface finish.

Recent industrial production runs at key customers producing multilayer composite pipes (MLCP) have “clearly demonstrated the productivity gains made possible by this resin,” says Total. These pipes have inner and outer layers of PE-RT that encase a core layer of aluminium foil.

In Poland, established hot and cold pipe system manufacturer, Sigma-Li, has used XSene XRT70 to achieve a stable pipe production at high line speeds of 40 m/min for 16-mm diameter HDPE-aluminium composite pipes for central heating systems.

OUTLOOK FOR PLASTICS PIPE MARKET TO BE DISCUSSED AT CONFERENCE

The outlook for the global plastics pipe market will be discussed at an international conference in Berlin next year.

Taking place in September 2016, the Plastic Pipes XVIII Conference and Exhibition will discuss the market opportunities and use of plastic pipe systems and identify trends for further growth.

“The construction and civil engineering sectors are major motors that drive a nation’s economy,” said Zoran Davidovski, Organising Chairman of Plastic Pipes XVIII.

“Whilst US, China, India and Germany report major rates of growth in this sector, they also reflect a global trend towards sustainability as a strategic criterion for choosing building products. Plastic pipe systems are now the sustainable pipe material of choice due to their long life performance and low environmental impact.”

Davidovski pointed towards double-digit growth in the global plastic pipe industry and the recognition that the replacement of antiquated, non-plastic pipe networks is a universally accepted trend. “Our conference in Berlin will be a very interesting platform to discuss

and review technical and business developments,” he added.

The conference organiser, the Plastic Pipes Conference Association (PPCA), has issued a call for papers to be presented at the event. All potential presenters are asked to submit a 300-word abstract in the English language before 25 November 2015. Title, name, position, company address and contact details should also be included through the online submission form on the conference website.

WWW.PPXVIII.COM

They were produced on a battenfeld-cincinnati uniEX 45-30 line that the company recently installed, one of the most advanced in Europe. In China, the same high line speed was achieved with the same material for a 20 mm diameter PE-RT pipe.

WWW.TOTAL.UKWWW.BATTENFELD-CINCINNATI.COM

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EXPERIENCE IN PE-XA PROCESSING INCORPORATED INTO BATTENFELD-CINCINNATI’S MOST POWERFUL LINE

At an event in Vienna, Austria recently, battenfeld-cincinnati demonstrated its “most powerful” line for the processing of cross-linked polyethylene for pipe production.

The company showcased its extrusion line to 40 customers from Europe and the Near and Middle East. With an output of up to 150 kg/h, it reportedly reaches substantially higher throughput rates than conventional lines or RAM extruders and offers the advantage of an extremely short, low-maintenance, cross-linking station.

In contrast to other production and cross-linking processes, battenfeld-cincinnati says the inline process demonstrated during the event enables the production of peroxide cross-linked pipes with high cross-linking rates at extremely low cost.

“PE-Xa pipe extrusion is not an easy task, due to the special demands of the material – so we are all the more pleased that we were able to answer our customers’ questions during the presentations and afterwards directly next to the line,” said Dietmar Stani, Product Manager at battenfeld-cincinnati Austria.

“Through intensive testing, we have gathered experience with PE-Xa, which we have subsequently incorporated in the creation of our specialised extruder and pipe die for PE-Xa processing. As a result, we can offer our customers an optimal system for processing this material.”

Core components for cross-linked PE pipe production, beside the optimal material blend and the cross-linking unit, are the twin-screw extruder and the pipe head. With its screw geometry specially designed for this application, battenfeld-cincinnati says its counter-rotating parallel twinEX 93-28 PE-Xa extruder ensures homogeneous melt processing at low melt temperatures. Thermal stress and flow stagnation

are excluded, and a favourable dwell time profile is achieved. The same principles apply to the RK32PEX pipe head used in the line, the company explained. The pipe head has been specially adapted to the task in terms of pipe head volume and streamlined flow channels, in order to prevent material deposits and cross-linking inside the die.

Via an elbow adapter, the pipes pass directly into the infrared oven. Eight IR heating elements installed inside the vertical oven ensure a high cross-linking rate at line speeds of up to 30 m/min. In combination with the matching downstream equipment for pipe calibration, cooling, haul-off and cutting, an “excellent quality standard

for the pipe” is ensured, says battenfeld-cincinnati, which is crucial for these specific applications.

WWW.BATTENFELD-CINCINNATI.COM

PE-Xa pipes offer an enormous degree of temperature resistance as well as optimal stress crack resistance, and are used for heating, district heating and geothermal systems, as well as for transport of hot and cold water in buildings.

The RK32PEX pipe die is also specially laid out for PE-Xa extrusion in order to offer

processors the best possible performance

34 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

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MACHINERY | NEWS

www.kraussmaffei.comEngineering Passion

35

JSB PLASTICS GO LARGE WITH LATEST ROMI MOULDING MACHINE

Leicester-based moulder, JSB Plastics, has invested in its twelfth and largest plastic injection-moulding machine to date.

The company, which serves a wide customer base in the UK and abroad, says its new Romi Primax 600R machine will open up opportunities for larger-size mouldings.

“We handle a wide variety of moulding for various different sectors, including automotive and point of

sale, but we were limited in the size of moulding,” explained Michele Cooper, JSB Director. “This opens up opportunities for us on larger pieces, up to 4.2 kilos compared to the 1.5 kilo maximum we have been handling.”

The new Romi machine, which is currently being used for a hydroponics contract, is JSB’s largest to date and operates alongside 11 Sandretto IMMs at the company’s manufacturing facility.

WWW.ROMIUK.COM

The Romi Primax 600R

From left to right: Richard Hird, Sales Director PMM, Matt Chambers, PNP Production Manager, Emma Crowley PNP Managing Director and Jason Hambidge, PNP Injection Moulding Technician

GROWING UK MOULDING BUSINESS INVESTS IN NEW HAITIAN MACHINES

Plastics injection moulding company, Paul Norman Plastics (PNP), has invested in new Haitian machines from UK distributor Premier Moulding Machinery (PMM) as it looks to deliver on its “dynamic growth strategy.”

The Gloucestershire-based company was the first customer in the UK to purchase a 250 tonne Haitian Mars Series ten years ago and has gone on to purchase a further two Haitian machines, including a 60 and 160 tonne.

“The investment that we have made in these additional machines has enabled PNP to improve our efficiencies in terms of both production and energy saving,” explained Emma Crowley, Managing Director of PNP.“Here at PNP we are 100 percent committed to investing in our plant facilities with a view to delivering our dynamic growth strategy and moulding the future for our clients.”

The purchase of the machines by PNP coincides with PMM’s 10-year anniversary celebrations, which marks the length of time the company has been Haitian and the UK Sales and Service partner for Haitian and Zhafir injection moulding machinery. Richard Hird, Sales Director for PMM, added: “It’s great to see a family run business developing, growing and investing in the future, I look forward to the next 10 years supporting PNPs expanding moulding requirements.”

WWW.PMMUK.NET

36 W W W . B R I T I S H P L A S T I C S . C O . U K

www.kraussmaffei.comEngineering Passion

BILLION AND SEPRO ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP TO ACCELERATE EXPORT GROWTH

Billion and Sepro have announced they will offer a “complete equipment package” combining injection moulding machines with robots as they look to achieve a common goal of expanding into new markets.

The two French companies have a long-standing partnership that has been formalised by the new business arrangement, which has reportedly grown out of a desire by Korbinian Kiesl and Jean-Michel Renaudeau (CEOs of Billion and Sepro, respectively) to “strengthen cooperation already active” in regions such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany and North Africa, and at plastics trade shows around the world.

“This partnership will allow us to respond to a group of processors who want to optimise their purchasing process,” explained Kiesl. “More and more, these moulders are interested in bundling so they can focus their negotiations on a reduced number of suppliers. It also allows us to provide a complete turnkey solution, not only where we are already active, but also in emerging markets and where there is growing interest in automation. This is particularly the case on the African continent.”

Together, the two companies are introducing what they describe as “a complete plastics equipment package”, including presses manufactured by Billion and robots made by Sepro, which will be sold under the Billion brand name.

Sepro’s proprietary Visual robot-

control system will be integrated in Billion’s Dixit 3 injection-moulding machine control, providing simple, intuitive programming of all machine functions. All robot operations, both inside and outside of the mould space, may be set up and controlled from the Dixit user interface on the moulding machine.

Sepro’s Jean-Michel Renaudeau says the new cooperation is part of an overall strategy to provide customers with more choice. “We want to be in a position to equip any injection-moulding machine, new or existing, and no matter if the moulder wants to buy the robot separately or as part of a complete equipment solution.”

WWW.SEPRO-GROUP.COMWWW.BILLION.FR

Billion SAS and Sepro Group are introducing what they say is a “complete plastics equipment package”

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Genesis Process Solutions LtdUnit 5 Springvale Business Centre

Millbuck WaySandbachCheshire

CW11 3HY

Tel : 01270 766300 Email : s a l e s @ g e n e s i s p s . c o . u k Website : w w w . g e n e s i s p s . c o . u k

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Richard Mumford (L), Sales Director, and Andrew Johnson (R), Injection &

Automation Division Sales Manager, KraussMaffei UK, with Laurence Tabner,

Managing Director Sanko Gosei (Centre), in front of the MX 1300.

KRAUSSMAFFEI SELLS 2,000TH MX MACHINE TO UK AUTO MANUFACTURER

KraussMaffei has sold its 2,000th large-series injection moulding machine to a major automotive parts supplier based in Lancashire, UK.

The MX 1300 was sold to Sanko Gosei, in Skelmersdale, for the manufacture of multi-component automotive parts out of PP and TPE.

“The KraussMaffei MX series features outstanding repeatability and a stable process control. This makes it a perfect match for the strict quality requirements of the automotive industry and especially Sanko Gosei,” commented Mike Bate, Managing Director of KraussMaffei Group UK Ltd.

The MX 1300 at Sanko Gosei is used with a clamping force of 13,000 kN and additional bolt-on injection unit in L design. The machine receives support in automation through an LRX 350 linear robot, as well as a single-source control system.

KraussMaffei says that the sale of its 2000th MX machine is a sign of the “continuing success story” of its large-series injection moulding machines.

The machines in the series are characterised by the hydro-mechanical twin-platen clamping unit developed by the company. This, it says, is “particularly compact in design, fast in production and low-maintenance in operation.”

The locking system is designed for short cycles with precise positioning. Platen parallelism protects the mould and delivers high part quality and machines in the MX series are said to feature “outstanding” melt quality and shot weight consistency.

WWW.KRAUSSMAFFEIGROUP.COM

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Stäubli’s diverse range of solutions ensures that you have the best solutions for all your applications :

Quick connection of temperature control linesThe ideal quick coupling connection solution for mould cooling-heating lines.Connection solutions for hydraulic linesAutomatic, flat-face, non-spill design for single or multiple connections on core-pulls, cylinders, sequential injection nozzles.

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The cluster was officially recognised by the Portuguese Government in 2009 and is represented by the Pool-Net Association – Portuguese Tooling

Network, whose membership comprises businesses (75 percent), Universities and R&D centres (19 percent), training centres (one percent), trade associations (four percent) and public bodies (one percent).

The association says the success of the country’s cluster comes down to its ability to offer a ‘one stop shop’ for customers, with expertise across a broad value chain. This, it says, covers design, product engineering and

prototyping to mould making and product manufacturing, all supported by the co-operation, innovation and internationalisation of its stakeholders.

Over 90 percent of the production from Portugal’s cluster is exported, to more than 80 different countries (2014). The products are tailored, where possible, to a variety of target markets, including automobile, aeronautics/aerospace, healthcare/medical devices, packaging, electronics and energy and environment industries.

The Engineering and Tooling cluster puts its international success down to its continued adoption of the latest technologies, including high speed machining with three or more axes, 3D printing, microfabrication and production cells, etc., but also due to its integration of emerging materials, such as eco, bio and composites into its solutions and products.

Consisting mainly of high-intensity and technologically advanced SMEs, recent years in Portugal’s cluster have been marked by the widespread introduction of management tools for lean manufacturing, which the Pool-Net association says have enabled levels of excellence and efficiency to be exploited, in line with the principles of its commitment to zero-waste. It also says

that its business strategy has bred both a co-operative and competitive environment between its members, which it calls ‘copetition’. This, it says, allows all businesses “to jointly take advantage of a collective and distinctive brand.”

The association says the cluster’s commitment to innovation is aligned with the European Tooling Technology RoadMap (2014-2020) and that it is gearing up to take full advantage of the advanced technologies that are a feature of the “Factories of the Future”, as recommended by the EU.

In terms of internationalisation, the Engineering and Tooling cluster has developed a range of partnerships with other international clusters, (i.e., France – Plastipolis; Spain – Plastival; Italy – Veneto Nanotech; Austria – Clusterland; Japan – Nagano Techno Foundation; USA – Ohio Polymer Institute; India – Plastindia Foundation, etc.), with a view to encouraging new business opportunities and international cooperation. In addition, the cluster’s strategy also includes participation at major international trade fairs with a view to growing new business through increasing both exposure and expertise.

WWW.TOOLINGPORTUGAL.COM

ADVERTORIAL

Portugal’s Engineering and Tooling sector sees 55 percent increase in exports since 2009

The association says the success of the country’s cluster comes

down to its ability to

offer a ‘one stop shop’ for

customers, with expertise across a broad

value chain.

PORTUGAL’S ENGINEERING AND

TOOLING CLUSTER, WHICH INCORPORATES

THE MOULDING, SPECIAL TOOLS AND

PLASTICS INDUSTRIES, HAS ANNOUNCED A 55 PERCENT INCREASE IN EXPORTS SINCE 2009.

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The new CNC 5-axis machine at Omega Plastics

MEUSBURGER ADDS NEW SPACE-SAVING ROUND LATCH LOCK TO PARTS PORTFOLIO

Manufacturer of high-precision standard parts for tool and mould making, Meusburger, has added a new, round latch lock for installation in the pillar hole to its catalogue.

The E 1845 is designed as a space-saving installation, which enables a high degree of flexibility when designing the cavity and the integration of temperature regulation components or slide units. Meusburger says it therefore enables a more compact mould structure.

Another advantage, says the company, is the damping element on the stroke limiter of the round latch lock, which enables particularly fast plate movements.

Mesuburger says its tried and trusted system, with four switching segments, guarantees secure and reliable locking of the floating plate. With the E 1845 the stroke length is individually adjustable. The product is available from stock in guiding bore diameters of 26, 30, and 42 mm.

WWW.MEUSBURGER.COM

OMEGA PLASTICS INVESTS IN MACHINERY AS “EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH” CONTINUES

Mould tool manufacturer, Omega Plastics, has invested in new machinery and has recruited new staff as a result of “exceptional growth” in 2015.

A new DMG CNC 5-axis tooling machine has been installed in the company’s Hartlepool facility, an investment that the company says enables it to widen its capabilities and provide a full turnkey solution to customers.

The company, which is headquartered in Blyth, Northumberland, has also increased its workforce by 11 staff members so far in 2015, with the expectation for more by the end of the year, including a Business Development Manager.

The new investments come in addition to machinery purchased and staff recruited in late 2014. The company said it sees it as “a necessity” that it invests in new machinery to allow it to both advance its capabilities and cater to wider markets, in particular the automotive sector.

WWW.OMEGA-PLASTICS.CO.UK

TRP SEALING SYSTEMS STRENGTHENS CAPACITY WITH CNC INVESTMENT

Elastomatic rubber seal, gasket and moulding specialist, TRP Sealing Systems, has invested in a new CNC machine for mould tool manufacture.

TRP Sealing Systems says by investing in the new ‘Wele Large Bridge’ machining centre from 2D CNC Machinery it plans to integrate certain larger mould tool operations in-house.

“We have already recruited a tooling engineer and we are ready to hit the ground running,” commented TRP’s Managing Director, Simon Children.

The Wele LB (Large Bridge) 421 has a 4,000 mm by 2,000 mm table with a load capacity of 15 tonnes supported by ultra-heavy, triple roller guideways on the X-axis. The machine at TRP is specified with the optional 26 kW, 15,000 revs/min gear-driven, direct drive spindle. It has a 32-tool capacity and is fitted with Fanuc 31iMB control.

As part of its continuous investment programme, the Wele LB421 will be installed at TRP’s Hereford facility in a purpose-refurbished toolroom. The building is also being equipped with ancillary equipment to handle large and complex mould tools.

“Whilst I am sure we will continue to use our current mould tooling suppliers, our investment in internal capacity will further strengthen our supply chain, ensure greater flexibility and improved responsiveness,” Children added.

TRP is a supplier to the automotive sector and a major supplier to the electronics, medical, marine, power generation, oil and gas, aerospace and defence industries.

WWW.2DCNC.CO.UK

E 1845 Round

latch lock, pillar hole mounting

MOULDS AND TOOLS | NEWS

Leicester-based manufacturer, Agentdraw, has developed, manufactured and launched a

new range of insulated travel cups, which the company says tested “all of its skills and more” in terms of product design, toolmaking, prototyping, injection moulding and manufacturing.

Launched in Birmingham earlier this year, the ‘Magicup’ is a non-spill, on-the-go cup that’s been given the thumbs up by coffee connoisseurs. Designed with “revolutionary” anti-spill technology, the cup retains its contents even if completely knocked-over.

The cup is designed to allow the user to drink from anywhere around its rim, as opposed to other travel cups which have one small opening. It is also said to provide all the sensory enjoyment of a traditional open cup or mug.

The design features of the Magicup and its unique mechanism, which controls the flow of the drink, required many trials and adjustments. Although Agentdraw utilised computer aided technology for some tasks, it manufactured the tools and prototyped its designs to ensure they worked. Every issue it faced during development was explored, corrected and then re-trialled.

Polymer selection was an important part of the design, with the company

developing the three materials used in the Magicup from scratch. “We discovered, through trials, that there was not a material available which would fit the bill for our design,” explained Agentdraw Director, Darren Parsons.

The final version of Magicup was produced after seven years and £2million in development and production costs, which was self-funded. This, says Parsons, was critical in terms of project completion, stating: “investors would not have been able to sustain the amount of time, blind alleys and repeated trials that were necessary to produce the perfect product.”

Agentdraw is now promoting and marketing the product, which it has manufactured in 20 colour variations.

WWW.AGENTDRAW.CO.UK

The ‘Magicup’ is a non-spill, on-the-go cup

that’s been given the thumbs up by coffee

connoisseurs. Designed with

“revolutionary” anti-spill

technology, the cup retains its contents even if completely

knocked-over.

CASE STUDYDrink-anywhere, take-anywhere, spill anywhere: Moulding on the move

The Magicup launched earlier this year after seven years in the making

The product

is designed to be used ‘on-the-go’

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Tradition in Dynamic Innovation

RUD Tool-Mover

Ultimate Safety in Handling Heavy Plant & Injection Moulding Tools

• RUD Tool-mover offers ultimate safety in handling plant & injection moulding tools

• Helps reduce costs to potentially damaged tools

• Increases safety to the operator

• Offers a handling weight range from 6.3 – 32 tonnes

CMYK COLOR INFORMATION:INDORAMA DARK BLUE: C100 | M80 | Y6 | K30 {PANTONE 288C)INDORAMA GREEN: C97 | M2 | Y98 | K12 (PANTONE 348C)INDORAMA LIGHT RED: C2 | M100 | Y82 | K6 (PANTONE 186C)

www.biesterfeld-petroplas.com

Polymer distribution across the UK & Ireland

Contact Us:www.biesterfeld-petroplas.com

[email protected]: 01235 822040

Premier Moulding Machinery Ladymead Business ParkThe Willows, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4ANTel: +44 (0) 1296 655555 Fax: +44 (0) 1296 658181

• Electrical precision from 400 to 5,500 kN• Engergy-saving servo-electric drives• Integrated hydraulic core pulls

www.haitian.co.ukwww.haitiangermany.com

ZHAFIR ZERES SERIES

Talking technical: Improving productivity in injection moulding

IN THE THIRD INSTALMENT OF OUR SERIES OF

ARTICLES LOOKING AT IMPROVING

PRODUCTIVITY IN INJECTION MOULDING, CRAIG FORRESTER OF STÄUBLI CONNECTORS

UK LOOKS AT MOULD TRANSFER AND

LOADING.

A key element in the operation of an efficient and flexible injection moulding shop is the ease and speed of changing moulds; mould transfer systems that

safely and efficiently bring the mould out of store and into the moulding machine can often provide a significant productivity improvement and are a key element in moving towards ‘Single Minute Exchange of Dies’ (SMED).

Maximising flexibility and productivity on injection moulding machines is essential in a competitive environment. Minimising

downtime on mould changeover provides one of the best opportunities to improve production flexibility and profitability. Significant reductions in changeover times have been achieved using transfer and loading systems, in some applications changeover times have been reduced by over 70 percent, even where quick mould change solutions have already been installed.

Selecting which type of mould transfer system is best for any application requires analysis of many parameters, including the frequency of mould changes, mould size and weight and the target changeover time. From this data the optimum system can be determined, a system that provides a reliable and easy to use operation requiring the minimum of maintenance.

Transfer systems can be tailored to all types of applications, they are not just suited to the heaviest larger moulds but do frequently provide an efficient and effective system for handling smaller moulds too.

Significant time savings can be made by bringing the mould up to operating temperature prior to loading into the moulding machine. Transfer systems can include a stop at a preheating station on route from the storage area to the machine, reducing downtime, resulting in improved efficiency and cost saving.

New installations often include a degree of additional automation such as the use of rail carts; a rail mounted loading/unloading table transfers moulds from the storage area direct to the moulding machine. Rail carts can service several or even an entire line of machines. A more versatile option is the fully manoeuvrable cart, permitting free movement of moulds between several machines and the storage areas. Adjustable height and reach mechanisms can be built into the cart to ensure compatibility with different machines and storage systems while locking devices on the

cart ensures safe and secure transfer of the moulds.

One type of efficient layout for mould loading is positioning one system between two machines; the two-directional loading table serves both machines and provides maximum flexibility and efficiency for each production cell, incorporating if required a preheating station. Where automatic mould changing is required then positioning a loading/unloading system on each side of a machine is ideal and provides the fastest method of mould changing. On one side, the mould from the previous production run is unloaded, while simultaneously on the opposite side the new mould is loaded.

Mobile mould transfer and loading table systems can provide service to a number of moulding machines or be dedicated to a single machine; operation can be manual or automatic, each designed to match with the existing workshop layout, work practices, tooling and available budget.

Maintenance and repair of moulds also needs to be fast and efficient to

avoid production delays. Dedicated maintenance stations are available fitted with turnover mechanisms to provide a convenient and secure platform holding the mould in the correct position for the work required.

Mould transfer and loading systems need to be tailored to each specific application; there is no standard solution that will meet all requirements. In selecting the optimum solution many technical and operational features need to be considered, balanced against the overall objective in terms of reducing the mould changing cycle time and the budget available.

Part 3: Speed up changeovers with a mould transfer system

Mould transfer systems that safely

and efficiently bring the mould out of

store and into the moulding machine can often provide a

significant productivity improvement and are a key element in moving towards Single Minute

Exchange of Dies

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PROJECT PARTNERS ANNOUNCE “SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS” IN FLEXIBLE PACKAGING RECYCLABILITY

Axion Consulting says “significant progress” has been made in trialling and developing new flexible packaging designs aimed at improving recyclability.

The company, which is leading the REFLEX project, a collaborative R&D venture involving high-profile partners, says research so far has focused on exploring and evaluating alternatives to previously difficult to recycle multi-layer films, which are potentially more suitable for recycling and yet still deliver the performance requirements and technical properties needed for products ranging from confectionery to detergent.

“We are making significant progress,” said Axion’s Project Engineer, Richard McKinlay. “For example, we have taken multi-layer packaging structures that currently use incompatible polymers and we have redesigned them using polymers which can potentially be recycled together.”

McKinlay said the project has attracted high levels of interest from Europe and internationally, as well as from other brand owners,

non-governmental organisations and packaging suppliers.

Another success includes optimisation of NIR (Near Infra-red) sorting technologies to detect and separate mixed polyolefin (PP and PE) packaging, such as sweet wrappers, crisp packets and bread bags. This has broadened what can be sorted and separated for recycling from mixed post-consumer flexible packaging.

Capturing this mixed polyolefin packaging would divert more of it from landfill, while opening up interesting new options for the types of recycled polymers that could

subsequently be made from it.“We think existing NIR technology

is capable of doing a lot more sophisticated sorting, such as identifying and rejecting other problem flexible packaging structures containing incompatible materials which could degrade the recycled polymer,” continued McKinlay. “Just as importantly, future research will also be concentrating on how to make recyclable packaging more readily identifiable by automated sorting equipment.”

WWW.REFLEXPROJECT.CO.UK

RECYCLING | NEWS

The project aims to develop new packaging designs aimed at improving recyclability, especially films

The plastic

road concept

PLASTIC ROAD COULD MAKE POTHOLES A THING OF THE PAST

A builder in the Netherlands has developed a road structure made of 100 percent recycled plastic that it says has “huge potential” for road construction, as well as providing a solution for plastics waste.

KWS Infra, a division of construction firm VolkerWessels, has created ‘Plastic Road’, a system where recycled plastics are processed into prefabricated road sections as a “faster, more reliable and greener alternative” to asphalt.

The company says the road structure is more resistant to weather and abrasion, last three times longer than normal road surfaces and requires less maintenance. It is also much lighter weight and easier to transport and lay.

“Plastic offers lots of advantages compared to current road structures, both in the construction and the maintenance of it,” commented Rolf Mars, Director of KWS Infra. “The potential of the concept is huge,” he added.

Mars pointed out that a major advantage of Plastic Road is the hollow structure, which allows for the easy integration of traffic loops, equipment and connections for light poles. Even more important, he added, is that the hollow space in the road also can be used for water storage, or as a chute for cables and pipes.

“Plastic Road is virtually maintenance free. It is resistant to corrosion and weathering, so it can easily adjust to temperatures from -40 to +80 degrees Celsius and it is much more resistant to chemical attack. We estimate that the life span of roads can be tripled,” he added.

Currently the project is still in the conceptual stage, with KWS Infra looking for partners to carry out pilots of the technology. The city of Rotterdam has already pledged its interest in running a trial.

WWW.KWS.NL

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PlasticsEurope is calling on a ban on landfilling recyclable and recoverable post-consumer waste by 2025

PLASTICSEUROPE SAYS RESTRICTING LANDFILLING “MUST BE THE PRIORITY”

PlasticsEurope has called for a landfill ban on recyclable and other recoverable post-consumer waste by 2025.

The call is part of its recommendations for the EU’s upcoming Circular Economy Strategy as necessary actions to prioritise in order to improve resource efficiency in Europe.

“Our goal remains ‘Zero Plastics to Landfill’. However, only a binding EU landfill restriction by 2025, not just on recyclable, but on all other recoverable post-consumer waste, will provide the legal certainty required for the necessary investments in waste management infrastructure,” explained Karl-H. Foerster, Executive Director of PlasticsEurope.

Foerster said the experience of the seven Member States that have successfully implemented a landfill ban has shown that such a measure has a significant positive impact on recycling rates.

“Between 2006 and 2012, the amount of post-consumer plastic waste going to landfills was reduced by 26 percent and, as a result, plastics recycling rose by as

much as 40 percent and energy recovery increased by 27 percent,” Foerster added.

Regarding future benefits of no longer having plastic waste ending up in landfills, he stated: “Our assessment shows that an additional amount of over five million tonnes of plastic waste could be recycled annually by 2025, an increase of almost 80 percent within 10 years. Furthermore, the remaining plastic waste that could not be sustainably recycled could contribute to the generation of an amount of energy equivalent to 23 percent of European gas imports from Russia.”

Such waste, he said, would therefore expand the diversity of Europe’s energy supply, thereby improving energy security and saving fossil fuels. “In total we assume that diverting plastic waste and other recoverable waste from landfill by 2025 would generate around 300,000 permanent industrial jobs related to sorting, recycling and energy recovery,” Foerster said.

WWW.PLASTICSEUROPE.ORG

46

Coping with weld lines

In injection moulding, weld lines (knit lines) form when two melt fronts meet. If the melt fronts do not coalesce completely, at best there will be a cosmetic flaw and at worst a mechanical weak-spot, with strengths of the order of 10 – 90 percent of the material potential.

Intuitively moulders can improve the situation by increasing melt temperature, injection speed, pressure hold time and mould temperature but the problem should have been anticipated and addressed at an earlier stage. At the part design/mould design stage, diverging melt fronts should be avoided but, if unavoidable, recombination should occur as close to the gate as possible. If a weld line problem is anticipated, thin sections should be avoided and gates should have generous dimensions to give best filling conditions. Mould venting, to allow air and volatiles between the two melt fronts to escape, can also help.

Using moulding simulation software, part design and gate positions can be modified to ensure the inevitable weld line is in a less obvious and less stressed position. The big breakthrough for Moldflow in the very early days was in successfully predicting how adjustment of wall thickness in a food mixer casing would move the weld line to a less obvious position.

Although accepted wisdom is to increase the temperature of the melt at the weld, the real problem is not so much the absolute temperature but the temperature differential between the two converging melt fronts, as a result of different cooling patterns in the two path lengths.

Simulation guidelines suggest the differential should be less than 10 degrees Celsius for acceptable weld lines. It is also worth remembering that the mechanical weakness is associated with the lack of cohesion where the two ‘frozen layers’ meet. As a last resort, moulders are now applying localised induction coil heating to improve weld lines cosmetically and for strength.

Amorphous thermoplastics tend to give stronger weld lines than semi-crystalline but, in fibre filled grades, orientation of glass fibres in the weld area can be a further source of weakness.

Got a view on the above? Blog posts will also be published on the BP&R website at www.britishplastics.co.uk - feel free to leave your comments

// Materials Technical //Blog

In association with Hardie Polymers – www.hardiepolymers.com

This month, polymer expert and technical blog author, Dr Charlie Geddes, looks at the causes and consequences of weld lines in injection moulding applications, offering expert

advice on how best to deal with them.

BASF POLYAMIDE USED IN WORLD’S FIRST PLASTIC TRANSMISSION CROSSBEAM

A polyamide from BASF has been used to produce the world’s first plastic transmission crossbeam for use in a rear axle subframe in Mercedes-Benz’ S-Class vehicles.

The crossbeam, developed by BASF in conjunction with ContiTech Vibration Control, is made from the engineering plastic ‘Ultramid A3WG10 CR’, a specialty polyamide that is particularly reinforced and optimised to withstand high mechanical loads.

The switch to polyamide from the previous beam, made from die-cast aluminium, has reportedly enabled a weight saving of 25 percent, better acoustics, excellent mechanical properties and conformity to the latest crash requirements.

“The new rear axle transmission crossbeam is a milestone in the use of polyamides in the chassis. It has the potential to set a new trend in the automotive industry,” said Kai Fruehauf, Head of the ContiTech Vibration Control business unit.

“In order to replace metal with high-performance plastics, it is necessary to make optimum use of the material and adapt it to the particular load situations, as BASF has demonstrated in the development of Ultramid for the transmission crossbeam.”

The plastic load-bearing structural component meets all the requirements for the static and dynamic loads that act on a transmission beam, says BASF. As a central component of the rear axle, it supports part of the torque that is transferred from the engine to the transmission, and bears a constant share of the load of the differential.

The plastic used in the part had to meet certain criteria in order to replace the existing aluminium. BASF says Ultramid A3WG10 CR (CR = crash-resistant), which is 50 percent glass fibre reinforced, shows “optimum strength and rigidity and displays a low tendency to creep under constant loading”. In addition, the material has to withstand high bending torques. The component shows “good NVH performance (NVH= noise, vibration, harshness),” added BASF.

WWW.BASF.COM

MATERIALS | NEWS

BUYER’S GUIDE

MATERIALS

MACHINERY &EQUIPMENT

Units 3E + 3F, Hillam RoadIndustrial Estate, Bradford, West

Yorkshire, BD2 1QNT: 01274 731552F: 01274 738118

E: [email protected]: www.eclipsecolours.com

Polymer Specific andUniversal Colour and Additive

Masterbatches. Fastmatchcolour matching service.

1 mm Easysperse MicroPellets to4 mm MaxiPellets.

Standards second to none.

Eclipse Buyers Guide_Layout 1 07

colour masterbatch

Call: 0161 624 2114Email: [email protected]

MASTERBATCH

MOULD RELEASE

BUY/SELL

ANCILLARIES

ASSEMBLYhot plate weldingBranson Ultrasonics158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UET: 01753 756675F: 01753 551270E: [email protected]: www.bransoneurope.eu

InControl Ultrasonics Ltd(FFR Ultrasonics Ltd)PO Box 10380, Sileby, LE12 7ZXT: 01509 621992E: enquiries@ffr-ultrasonics. co.ukW: www.ffr-ultrasonics.co.uk

Telsonic UK Ltd 12a - 15 Birch Copse Technology Road, Poole, Dorset BH17 7FH T: 01202 697340 F: 01202 693674 E: [email protected] W: www.telsonic.co.ukBlog: telsonicuk.wordpress.com

vibration welding

Branson Ultrasonics158 Edinburgh Avenue, Slough, Berkshire SL1 4UET: 01753 756675F: 01753 551270E: [email protected]: www.bransoneurope.eu

pulse stakingH.T.E Engineering LtdUnit 9, St Ives Enterprise Centre, St Ives, HuntingdonCambridgeshire, UK, PE27 3NPT: +44 (0) 1480 467321M: +44 (0) 7435 967632E: [email protected]: www.pulsestaker.com

ultrasonic welding

Tel: 01827 838840Email: [email protected]

www.granulators.org

New and used Granulators, Shredders, Pulverisers,

Wash Plants

Blades and Screens

Blade Sharpening

Ancillary Items

Service – Repair - Spares

UK & Ireland Agents for

BG Advert buyers guide.indd 1 21/01/2015 16:42

CHILLERS/TEMPERATURE CONTROLLERSMotan Colortronic LtdMatilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QBT: 01246 260222F: 01246 455420E: [email protected]: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

CONTROL SYSTEMS AND EQUIPMENTquality monitoring controlKistler Instruments LtdT: 01256 741550 F: 01256 741551E: [email protected]: www.kistler.comPressure transducers and associated monitoring/control equipment for new and existing injection moulding applications.

DRYERSMotan Colortronic LtdMatilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QBT: 01246 260222F: 01246 455420E: [email protected]: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

Zerma GranulatorsInjection/blow moulding, extrusion, thermoforming, in-house recycling n The widest range of plastic granulatorsn Very price competitiven Fit for purposen Cut out 3rd party recyclingn Reduce purge recycling costs by

up to 75%n Beside the press, compact or heavy

duty optionsn Full spares and services available E [email protected] www.summitsystems.co.ukT 01827 265 843

DEHUMIDIFIERSMotan Colortronic LtdMatilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QBT: 01246 260222F: 01246 455420E: [email protected]: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

EXTRUSION SYSTEMSnew and usedCooper Plastics MachineryUnit 12, Harmill Industrial Estate, Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire LU7 4FFT: 01525 850610 F: 01525 218008E: [email protected] W: www.cooperplastics.co.ukExtruders, water baths, haul-offs, fly knife cutters, conveyors/tip tables, in-line punches, coilers etc. New and used. Repairs, servicing or rebuilds. UK agent for Lyons Electronics.

induction heating for platens and tools

MF Induction HeatingUnit 5, Martindale, Hawks Green, Cannock, Staffs, WS11 7XN Replacement CoilsNew platensT: 01543 570642 F: 01543 574460E: [email protected]: www.mfinduction.com

HEATING EQUIPMENT

HOT RUNNER SYSTEMShot runner controllers

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT

LISA MONTGOMERY 01244 680222

Burgess Colours & Compounds,1-10 Burgess Street,Middleport, Burslem,Stoke-on-Trent,ST6 3PD,T: 01782 819670F: 01782 816133Email: [email protected] are one of the UK’s leading supplier of black, white, colours and additive masterbatches

MIXING, FEEDING & DOSING

SCREEN CHANGERSIndustrial Plastics LtdUnit 13 Canterbury Industrial Park, 297 Ilderton Road, London, SE15 1NPT: 020 7252 9600F: 020 7252 9601E: [email protected]: www.ipl-london.co.uk

STATIC CONTROLArrowquint LtdUnit 2 Sanders Close, Finedon Road Industrial Estate, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire NN8 4HQT: 08450 655455 F: 08450 655456E: [email protected]: www.arrowquint.co.ukStatic control solutions, equipment sales and rental, repairs and on-site servicing. UK/Eire agent for Eltex – market leaders in static control systems.

METAL DETECTION & SEPARATION EQUIPMENTMotan Colortronic LtdMatilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QBT: 01246 260222F: 01246 455420E: [email protected]: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

SECONDHAND AND RECONDITIONEDANGLO PLASTICS LTDBuy/Sell Used Plastics MachineryRutland Road, Scunthorpe, DN16 1HXT: +44 (0) 1276 470910T: +44 (0) 7740 632907E: [email protected]: www.angloplastics.com

Ray Ran Test Equipment LtdKelsey Close, Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, CV11 6RST: 024 763 42002F: 024 766 41670E: [email protected]: www.ray-ran.com

TransXL International LtdThornhill, South Marston, Wiltshire SN3 4TAT: 01793 827666F: 01793 823826E: [email protected]: www.transxl.co.uk

DM Machinery LtdUsed Injection Moulding Machine Stockists40 Thorne Lane, WakefieldWest Yorkshire, WF1 5RRT: 01924 290206E: [email protected]: www.dmmachinery.co.uk

hardness - IRHD and shoreMAPRA Technik Co — BAREISSFor Bareiss of Germany -IRHD & SHORE hardness testers,Abrasion & Rebound testers.T: 020 8508 4207F: 020 8502 5107E: [email protected]: www.mapra.co.uk

DTL Machinery UK We Buy / Sell all Makes, Age and Sizes of Injection Moulding Machines & AncillariesTool room machines and also complete factories / plantsFactory Clearance ServicesDismantling / Removal of obsolete plant and machineryT: 01925 596170M: 07838138342E: [email protected]

NOZZLES & NOZZLE TIPS

SCREWS & BARRELS

TESTING EQUIPMENT

BUYER’S GUIDE

MACHINERY &EQUIPMENT

Engineers to thePlastics & Rubberindustries, specialisingin the following:

Screw & Barrel ManufactureScrew & Barrel RefurbishmentTie Bar Repair & Manufacture

Screw Tip AssembliesFeed Liners, Plain & Grooved

100 Tonne Screw & Barrel PressBimetallic Barrel Blanks up to

50 mm In StockPlease e-mail or phone Karl for

more info.E. [email protected]

T. 01706 655402W. www.tws-ltd.com

Technical Welding Services(Rochdale) Ltd

Bunting Magnetics Europe Ltd European Design & Manufacturing Facility

Northbridge Road Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 1EH, UK

Tel: +44 (0) 1442 875081 Email: [email protected] www.magneticseparation.co

Contact: Carlton Hicks

Magnetics Separators Metal Detectors Eddy Current Separators

LABORATORY MACHINES

MATERIALS HANDLING AND STORAGEgravimetric/volumetric blendingMotan Colortronic LtdMatilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QBT: 01246 260222F: 01246 455420E: [email protected]: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

Motan Colortronic LtdMatilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QBT: 01246 260222F: 01246 455420E: [email protected]: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

hopper loaders

Motan Colortronic LtdMatilda House, Carrwood Road, Chesterfield Trading Estate, Chesterfield S41 9QBT: 01246 260222F: 01246 455420E: [email protected]: www.motan-colortronic.co.uk

PRINTING MACHINESpad

RECYCLING SYSTEMS

CHOOSE THE NUMBER ONE.

EREMA Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Ges.m.b.H.

Unterfeldstraße 34052 Ansfelden / AustriaPhone: +43 (0)732/31 90-0 Fax: +43 (0)732/31 [email protected]

inspection & measurement

MAPRA Technik Co – DOSS –MARCEL AUBERT – KAFERFor DOSS visual solution of Italy –Inspection & sorting machinesfor O’rings, Seals, Gaskets.T: 020 8508 4207F: 020 8502 5107E: [email protected]: www.mapra.co.uk

3D PRINTING

3D Printingin Plastic & Rubber

Tel: 01420 88645www.projet3d.co.uk

TRAINING

TO ADVERTISE

IN THis SPACE

CONTACT LISA

MONTGOMERY 01244 680222

Global manufacturer & distributor of inserts for plastic, fasteners for plastic, cable management, circuit board hardware, nylon rivets & screws, rubber bumpers & feet & many more.

[email protected]

TO ADVERTISE IN THis SPACE CONTACT

LISA MONTGOMERY 01244 680222

MOULDFLOW ANALYSIS

SOFTWARESERVICES

PRINTERS printers of plastic mouldings

Total Print LtdSpecialist Pad Printers

Station Road, Gedney Hill, Lincolnshire PE12 0NP

T: 01406 330122F: 01406 330123

E: [email protected]: www.totalprintltd.com

Sub-Contract Pad Printers to the Plastics Industry

PRINTERS

PARTS & SERVICE

TAMPO.SCREEN.FOILContour Marking Co Ltd

Albert house, Gledrid Industrial Park, Chirk ,Wrexham, LL14 5DG

T: 01691 770093F: 01691 770023

Sub Contract Tampo, Screen & Foil Printing to the plastic

moulding industryE: [email protected]: www.contourmarking.com

TESTINg/CONSULTANCY

Gammadot Rheology Testing & Consultancy Services

Unit 5C, Leaton Industrial Estate, Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury,

Shropshire, SY4 3APT: 01939 291677

E: [email protected]: www.gammadot.com

Providing independant testing solutions to all your quality control, failure analysis & flow simulation

data needs

SOFTWARE DIRECTORY

manufacturing management directory

enterprise resource planningEpicor ERP Manufacturing Software(For Plastics’/Rubber Processors)Epicor Software (UK) LtdT: +44 (0)1344 468 468E: [email protected]

Epicor’s ERP (on-site, hosted & SAAS) manufacturing software for the polymer converting industry covers the full range of back office operations from on-line and off-line sales and quotations to production planning, inventory management and finance through to logistics, ware-housing and distribution. It seamlessly integrates with Epicor Mattec’s Real-time MES to provide a single system that offers a complete quote-to-cash solution for the plastics’/rubber industries.

real time production monitoring, scheduling and process monitoringEpicor Mattec Real-time MES(Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers& “Web Based”)Epicor Software (UK) LtdT: +44 (0)1344 468 468E: [email protected]

Modules: Production Monitoring,Process Monitoring, “Drag and Drop” Scheduling/Planning, “Family Moulding”, PreventativeMaintenance, Bar Coding/Parts’Trace-ability, Operator Visual Aids,Process Parameter Profiling, E-mail/Public Address System Alerts, Stand-alone “Drag and Drop” Scheduler, Stand-alone SPC “Machine Analyzer”, Machine

Energy Monitoring, KPI Dash-boards, Visual Manufacturing(Large LED Displays), Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (ForIntegration with Epicor ERP & OtherManufacturing Systems/SoftwarePackages).

real time production monitoring, scheduling and process monitoringintouchT: 01604 646144E: enquiries@ intouchmonitoring.comWebsite: www.intouchmonitoring.com

Real-time production monitoring systems. Designed to be easy to use and providing affordable solutions to all sizes of businesses. Production monitoring, scheduling, reporting, data import/export, databases for parts, tools and operators, integration with other software packages. ProHelp EPM (for Microsoft Windows™ PC Servers)Mattec LtdT: 01909 561544F: 01909 560675E: [email protected]

Real-time Modules: Production Monitoring, ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduling/Planning, Preventative Maintenance, Bar Coding/Parts Traceability, Operator Visual Aids, Process Parameter Profiling, Pager/Tannoy Alerts, Stand-alone ‘Drag and Drop’ Scheduler, Stand-alone SPC Machine Analyzer, Automatic Data Import/Export Functions (for integration to Manufacturing Systems and other software packages).PlantMasterBMS Vision LtdT: 01254 662244,

E: [email protected] Website: www.visionbms.com/plastics.

Affordable and flexible MES system for the plastics/rubber industry. Real-time production monitoring features wireless data units and OPC Ethernet machine connections. “Drag & drop” job scheduling supports frame/insert level family tooling plus KAN BAN.ERP system integration, SPC/SQC, Touch Screen Data Units, Machine Maintenance, Operator Tracking, Traceability, DNC, Energy Monitoring, Bar Coding, Pager Alerts.Easy to use systems from a €600m company with over 30 years experience.

SYSCON – PlantStarMTec Services LtdTel: +44 (0)7711 036750Tel: +1 574 232 3900E: [email protected]: www.mtec-services.co.ukW: www.plantstar.org

PlantStar systems provide customised, scalable applications that deliver real-time plant floor data from any machine, shift, and plant anywhere in your business. Affordable systems available for all size of processor. Browser-based software and hardware, and wireless Ethernet technology make for highly versatile and configurable systems providing information wherever needed. Standard systems include real-time alarms, downtime & reject analysis, capacity scheduling , ERP integration and more. With options including SPC/SQC, Labour tracking and Scheduling, Family Tooling, Materials traceability, bar-coding.

New QuickShot entry level system, provides real-time data collection & reporting, plus drag & drop scheduling and much more for less than £500 per machine!

Process Optimisation SoftwareRJG Technologies UK Ltd t/a G&A Moulding TechnologyT: +44 (0)1733 232211E [email protected]

Zero Defect Moulding – What’s your target?• Cycle time reduction• Reduced scrap rates• Improved process capability• Higher yield and OEEPRO-OP™ software provides a step-by-step procedure for optimising the injection moulding process to deliver optimum quality products at the most favourable cycle time.PRO-OP™ is a server based application which, by setting an optimum moulding process, highlights weaknesses and problems in relation to part design, mould design, mould construction, moulding equipment efficiency, moulding equipment specification and material selection.The moulding process is documented with explanations for each key process parameter setting demonstrating the processing conditions and equipment contributions to the final result.PRO-OP™ is aimed at companies whose focus is quality and consistent part manufacture.PRO-OP™ supports companies by providing a documented and structured validation protocol which is recognised in the in the pharmaceutical and medical sectors.

BUYER’S GUIDE

A listing in the Software Directory costs £140 per programme per year. Call Lisa on 01244 680222 for details.

Plastics litter in the seas is a growing issue. The volume of noise is increasing, and, as the commentary invariably refers to plastics in a

disparaging way, even though it’s fundamentally not our fault, it isn’t good news for the reputation of plastics materials, products and the industry itself. Even worse, there are some influential figures that are lining up to say, “something must be done”. Though dwarfed by the problems of Greece, which dominated discussions at the G7 meeting at Schloss Elmau in Bavaria on 7th-8th June, the world’s top economies did find time to discuss litter in the marine environment.

Aware it was on the agenda, I had written to David Cameron in advance alerting him to our own industry actions and concerns. He did write back afterwards saying he was aware of the industry›s efforts, particularly ‘Operation Clean

Sweep’, but added: “At the summit, the G7 agreed that litter in the marine environment, particularly plastics, poses a global challenge that directly affects marine and coastal life, ecosystems, and potentially human health. The G7 therefore committed to a range of actions and solutions designed to combat marine litter, including addressing land and sea based sources, removal actions and education, research and outreach.”

We haven't seen the detail yet, but it is reassuring to hear that there is recognition that this is a very large and complex problem with many stakeholders. But the key is changing human behaviour. If plastics weren’t thrown into the sea other materials certainly would be, and indeed are. It just so happens that plastics are the more visible. Plastics don't jump into the sea of their

own volition they happen to be there because of very careless actions taken by people. Public education is key. The ‘Keep Britain Tidy Group’ has had varying fortunes since its inception in 1954, but now is the time it needs to be most pro-active. I do hope the government is giving it an appropriate level of support, but I fear that it will have been an early victim of austerity. The lack of public information programmes on UK television is quite stark compared to the sixties and seventies, but yet they seem to me to be pretty central to public support for broadcasting.

Among those condemning plastics in the sea is the Prince of Wales, whom I met on July 22nd at an event organised by Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) and the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) on Fistral Beach, Newquay, Cornwall. His attendance was prompted by the fact he is Duke of Cornwall where SAS are based, and is also President of the MCS. In March he gave a speech in Washington about the dumping of plastics in the sea. He helpfully said, “stimulating a second life for plastics is essential, they are too valuable to be thrown away.”

However, a more controversial initiative has recently been launched at Selfridges, which has banned the sale of mineral water packed in plastic bottles aiming to encourage consumers to use refillable bottles replenished at public water fountains in their store. I was invited to debate this move at a large gathering in Selfridges on the evening of July 23rd. Pitched against Selfridges Deputy Chairman, Alannah Weston, Environmentalist, Jonathan Porritt, and Designer, Sophie Thomas, I was able to make the case for plastics bottles and the need to focus on behavioural change rather than product bans. I said that whilst the UK is actually one of the few locations in the world where you can rely on the quality of the public water supply, in Asia, Latin America and Africa there is a critical dependence on clean water supplied in plastic bottles.

WWW.BPF.CO.UK

Cutwel High performance tooling for the Plastics Industry

PMS 298 (Light Blue)

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Magenta

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PMS Black (Text Metal Effect)

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Request Your FREE1,000 Page Catalogue for your plastic machining solutions.

Contact us on the details below.

01924 869 610 [email protected] www.cutwel.co.uk

Contact Us Today On The Details Below

Hawk 3D proto are the European Master Distributor for Airwolf 3D & an Authorised Distributor for BEEVERYCREATIVE.

Looking to resell 3D Printers? – We are expanding the Airwolf 3D reseller network throughout Europe via Hawk 3D Proto, so if you’re interested and you would like more information then, just send an email to [email protected]

Purchase your perfect 3D Printer, enquire about live product demonstrations, 3D Print bureau service, consumables & more with

Unit A Riverside Drive, Off Hunsworth Lane, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 4DH

A wide range of tooling available at great prices that

are specific for plastic materials including milling,

drilling, turning, deburring and routing tools.

Please call 01924 869 610 with any enquiries.

Book your appointment today and visit our West Yorkshire based state of the ar t 3D

Printing showroom from our subdivision Hawk 3D Proto.

BritishPlasticsAd.indd 1 28/07/2015 11:27:21

THIS MONTH’S EXCLUSIVE COLUMN

SEES PHILIP LAW, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE BRITISH PLASTICS

FEDERATION HIGHLIGHT THE GROWING ISSUE

OF MARINE LITTER, INCLUDING ACTIONS HE

HAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO FIGHT THE CORNER OF PLASTICS AT BOTH

A NATIONAL AND POLITICAL LEVEL.

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Cutwel High performance tooling for the Plastics Industry

PMS 298 (Light Blue)

69

07

00

00

Cyan

Yellow

Magenta

Black

PMS Black (Text Metal Effect)

0

0

0

100

Cyan

Yellow

Magenta

Black

Request Your FREE1,000 Page Catalogue for your plastic machining solutions.

Contact us on the details below.

01924 869 610 [email protected] www.cutwel.co.uk

Contact Us Today On The Details Below

Hawk 3D proto are the European Master Distributor for Airwolf 3D & an Authorised Distributor for BEEVERYCREATIVE.

Looking to resell 3D Printers? – We are expanding the Airwolf 3D reseller network throughout Europe via Hawk 3D Proto, so if you’re interested and you would like more information then, just send an email to [email protected]

Purchase your perfect 3D Printer, enquire about live product demonstrations, 3D Print bureau service, consumables & more with

Unit A Riverside Drive, Off Hunsworth Lane, Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, BD19 4DH

A wide range of tooling available at great prices that

are specific for plastic materials including milling,

drilling, turning, deburring and routing tools.

Please call 01924 869 610 with any enquiries.

Book your appointment today and visit our West Yorkshire based state of the ar t 3D

Printing showroom from our subdivision Hawk 3D Proto.

BritishPlasticsAd.indd 1 28/07/2015 11:27:21

ENGEL packaging

Shortest cycle times, maximum output and highest process stability. Packed in a clean, solid and economical system. That is how the injection moulding solutions of ENGEL packaging secure your productivity. Through the entire range: from 1 gramme caps and closures to over 100 kilogramme industrial containers. Reliable. Global. Committed to partnership. This is ENGEL packaging.

Packaged for performance. Through the entire range. From caps and closures to the industrial container. With ENGEL packaging.

Packaged for performance

ENGEL U.K. Ltd. | Apollo Way | Tachbrook Park | Warwick CV34 6RW | Tel. +44 19 26 33 50 00 Fax +44 19 26 33 66 77 | [email protected] | www.engelglobal.com

4848.09 ENG ANZ BPRJ packaging A4 en 140729.indd 1 31.07.2015 12:03:46