• The impact of the global coronavirus epidemic is still too prevalent
• The safety of visitors and employees is highest priority
• We look forward to the 2022 Technology Days

Arburg is cancelling the Technology Days event it was planning to hold between 7 and 12 June 2021. Consultations with official bodies and due consideration of the ramifications of the global coronavirus epidemic that are still clearly evident prompted the decision that was taken last Friday. The so-called ‘Federal Emergency Brake’ applied by the German government has a decisive influence on this situation.
“We regret this cancellation hugely but we are compelled to take this step due to prevailing parameters”, explains Juliane Hehl, the Managing Partner responsible for Marketing at Arburg. “Up until the final moment, we were hoping, and were genuinely working flat out, to enable these Technology Days to take place in the form, at long last, of a physical trade fair”, states the shareholder with reference to all the planning and efforts invested over the last few months. Our Technology Days are a brand in their own right, as well as being the largest in-house event in the entire World of Plastics – so we really did do everything conceivable to facilitate, at long last, a personal and physical event experience for our customers.
The safety of visitors and employees The postponement of the traditional timing of this event from March to June, the extension from four to six days, a Covid-compliant invitation and visitor management system, a meticulously planned hygiene and testing concept – with all of these measures, the safety of visitors and employees was always at the forefront of our deliberations.
Eager anticipation of the 2022 Technology Days “As unfortunate as things are at present: We stand by our view that the whole world is looking forward to getting back to normal events and trade fairs”, states Juliane Hehl. The Technology Days could have acted as a beacon for an entire sector, so it was entirely right and proper for us to have made every attempt to organise and hold the event. “We therefore extend an even warmer invitation to the World of Plastics to visit our Technology Days here in Lossburg in March 2022!”
arburg.com

Destination circular economy: Starlinger’s new backflush filter allows manufacturers of woven bags made of polypropylene tapes to use a proportion of recycled polypropylene of 50% and more in the tape extrusion process.

In times where buzzwords like sustainable packaging and closed packaging cycles are on everyone’s lips, Starlinger & Co. GmbH is now able to provide another solution to the plastic packaging industry that will ensure greater sustainability. “With our SPB filter, we are offering tried and tested technology that enables woven bag manufacturers to use recycled material for bag production without compromising on quality and cost-effectiveness. As such, you get exactly the same specifications and properties with recycled input material as with tapes made from 100% virgin material,” explains Hermann Adrigan, Head of Sales at Starlinger. Especially when it comes to packaging made of tape fabric, which is characterised by its high strength properties, high-quality tapes are the most important requirement. The tear-resistant sacks are filled with up to 50 kg of contents – in the case of big bags, the fabric even has to sustain two to three tonnes of weight. When using recycled material, the Starlinger SPB filter ensures excellent melt filtration for the high tape quality required. “This enables fabric bag manufacturers to work even more sustainably and at the same time meet a criterion that is becoming increasingly important in the packaging market: the amount of recycled content in the product,” says Adrigan.

50% and more of recycled content

In tape production, impurities and, in many cases, the range of different polymers in the recycled input material cause problems such as filter blockages or tape tears, which, in turn, reduce production efficiency. The SPB melt filter from Starlinger, on the other hand, achieves a high melt throughput with excellent cleaning capacity even in the case of more heavily contaminated input material. This way, a stable production process and high degree of efficiency are ensured.Thanks to the hydraulic backflushing function of the filter, the respective filter screen is backflushed and thus cleaned when a defined degree of contamination is reached. The backflush cycles are relatively short due to the high pressure build-up in the filter, and the extrusion process is not interrupted – an important criterion that saves material and time. Depending on the degree of contamination of the melt, the filter can achieve throughput rates of up to 720 kg/hour and allows for 50% and more of recyclate in tape production.

Know-how for a closed packaging cycle

“For optimum recyclate quality, our division Starlinger recycling technology offers recycling plants that are tailored to the specific needs of bag manufacturers,” adds Hermann Adrigan. “In principle, we at Starlinger combine the know-how and technology for “circular packaging” under one roof: From the manufacturing process and the packaging recycling process to reusing the recyclate for the same product. And our customers benefit from this. With our equipment, it is a lot easier for packaging manufacturers to use recycled material in the extrusion process because they can rely on the quality of the recycled pellets.” Design for Recycling is another important criterion for implementing a circular economy in the packaging sector. “In this respect, woven bags made of polypropylene are the perfect example,” says Adrigan. “They are a mono-material packaging consisting of 99% PP – even if they are coated. Considering this, it is obvious that the bags should be collected after usage and recycled. We want to promote and advance this process with our technologies.”

www.starlinger.com

MEAF Machines has added a PROMIX physical foaming installation to its in-house extruder test and demonstration line. As of mid-May this will allow customers to get hands-on experience with this material saving equipment while using their own polymer grades in the process. The potential savings from the PROMIX equipment come in addition to the benefits of the MEAF extruders, that are already among the best for energy efficiency and economy.

‘Physical foaming offer a significant material saving potentials for extrusion processes,’ says Roald de Bruijne, Sales Manager at MEAF. ‘PROMIX are setting new standards in the production of microcellular foam products with a very homogeneous cell structure and unprecedented process stability, while using eco-friendly CO2 and N2 blowing agents. Depending on the application, density reductions of 5 to more than 30 % can be achieved. The resulting material saving will not only benefit the plastic processors, but also their customers and the environment.’
‘When opting for a new type of raw material, material mixture or a new machine supplier, it is always helpful to be able run a test before deciding the best way forward,’ adds Roald. ‘It is like taking a test drive when you are looking to buy a new car. With MEAF’s new in-house test & demonstration line, we provide this capability to our customers. Our extrusion line has been designed and build to accommodate the latest technologies, such as physical foaming, and a wide variety of materials for our customers’ packaging needs, be it PET, PE, GPPS, PS, PP, PLA or biodegradable grades.’
For any sheet or film extrusion, the largest contribution to the production costs are by far raw materials, often surpassing 70 % of the total production expenses, usually followed by energy consumption. Therefor every manufacturer is looking to reduce its overall production costs by reducing the raw material expenses. One approach is to increase the amount of recycled material, regrind skeletal waste or bottle-flakes in the case of PET film extrusion, or the utilisation of filler components such as CaCO3. ‘To reduce the overall raw material costs further, even more needs to be done,’ explains Roald. ’This is where MEAF’s sheet extrusion line in combination with PROMIX physical foaming comes in. Not only will it typically reduce the cost of plastic raw material by 20% compared to conventional packaging, the overall weight reduction of 10 to 30% has further benefits, as some countries use this a basis for packaging taxes. In addition packaging can be made 100% recyclable, while also allowing the utilization of recycled raw material, also foamed.’ The micro foam process offers excellent rigidity, insulation and insensitivity to scratch marks, and results in the lowest energy consumption per kg in the industry. With the set up processors can work with multiple types of materials in one extruder, such as PP, PS, PET, PE, GPPS and PLA. Both foamed and non-foamed sheets can be produced on the same line, even allowing for multilayer A/B/A sheet, where the A-layer is a solid non-foamed layer, and the B-layer is of a foamed material.

https://www.meaf.com.

• Polystyrene serves society for 90 years, making it one of the first polymers deployed at commercial scale

• Polystyrene is made for recycling, making it best suited for a circular economy and low-carbon economy

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, celebrates 90 years of polystyrene, a material that has significantly contributed to societal well-being for over almost a century. Polystyrene became one of the first commercially available polymers enabling a wide range of products that enhance our daily lives. Polystyrene is made for recycling, making it the material of choice for the future.

The road to the production of polystyrene was paved in 1929 with the first patents on the production of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene and a year later for the continuous polymerisation of styrene monomer to polystyrene. The technology was perfected through 1931, when the first ready-to-use polystyrene was produced. Today, polystyrene and styrenic polymers in general are an indispensable part of our lives. Polystyrene helps insulate our homes resulting in less energy consumption. Polystyrene is a great choice for food packaging as it helps reduce the amount of food being wasted, keeping it fresh and safe. Being both lightweight and durable, high-performance Styrenics also help to reduce the weight of cars resulting in reduced energy use and enabling longer range.

Styrenic materials are used to make life-saving applications in the healthcare industry, including virus detection kits, respiratory devices, safety goggles and face shields to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Polystyrene can be recycled via a wide range of technologies from mechanical recycling to more advanced recycling methods such as depolymerisation and pyrolysis. According to latest developments, mechanically recycled polystyrene even promises to enable food contact.

INEOS Styrolution is now focusing on advancing a circular and low-carbon economy by recycling styrenic materials including polystyrene and substituting fossil feedstock with either recycled or renewable sources in our production processes. Alexander Glück, President EMEA, says: “INEOS Styrolution’s ECO grades are the result of our strong efforts driving our circular and low-carbon agenda forward. Our ECO portfolio includes mechanically recycled solutions as well as materials made from recycled or renewable feedstock. Both are now available commercially and products based on advanced recycling technologies will come soon. These sustainable materials continue to offer the best performance to our customers and end-consumers, with no compromise on quality or safety.” Gregory Fordyce, President Americas, adds: “With the different recycling technology options we are actively pursuing, we are convinced that polystyrene will continue to be the material of choice for decades to come. Together with our partners, we are investing significantly into commercialising advanced recycling solutions.”

More information on INEOS Styrolution’s ECO range is available at styrolution-eco.com.

For 90 years of polystyrene overview,

see https://styrolution-eco.com/90-years-polystyrene/.

US-based Teijin Group subsidiary expands capacity in Sarepta, Louisiana

Continental Structural Plastics (CSP), one of the world’s largest manufacturers of composite components, is expanding its facility in Sarepta, Louisiana in the US, with the purchase of an LFT-D line that includes a DIEFFENBACHER press with a pressing force of 2,500 tonnes (25,000 kN). CSP will use its new LFT-D line, scheduled to begin operating in the first quarter of 2022, to produce tailgate covers for pickup trucks.
CSP has operated three DIEFFENBACHER LFT-D lines with identically constructed presses in Sarepta for 20 years. “Our DIEFFENBACHER lines from 2001 have done an excellent job for two decades. That’s why we’ve decided to order another LFT-D line with a 2,500-tonne hydraulic press from DIEFFENBACHER,” said Dale Armstrong, Advanced Process Engineer at CSP. “In addition, we always feel very well supported by the local DIEFFENBACHER staff here in North America,” he added.
A Teijin Group Company, CSP manufactures composite components for a variety of industries, including automotive, trucking, leisure and construction. CSP is headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and operates facilities in the United States, Mexico, France, Portugal, Czech Republic and China.

dieffenbacher.de

Fast charging technology with the DC charging plug CCS

With its portfolio of products and solutions, the HARTING Technology Group is positioned as an electromobility technology partner and pioneer – and thereby driving the energy transition forward. The HARTING Automotive subsidiary is focusing on e-mobility solutions. The subsidiary supplies customised solutions and components for all relevant sales areas. Among other things, the subsidiary is developing and manufacturing charging infrastructure solutions for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. As part of the press highlight tour at HANNOVER MESSE, HARTING has now showcased an innovative charging connector.

In this context, the low-loss DC voltage featuring the latest HARTING high-current connectivity charges the battery of the e-vehicle in the shortest possible time. “Over the recent months, e-mobility has picked up tremendous momentum. There’s no denying: high-performance fast charging will further improve acceptance of e-vehicles among drivers,” as Marco Grinblats, Managing Director of HARTING Automotive stated. The breakthrough of e-mobility depends decisively on user-friendly charging infrastructure. “Fast charging technology with the DC charging plug CCS is a prerequisite for ensuring that in future vehicles will be supplied with sufficient power – not in a matter of hours, but in a few minutes,” as Marco Grinblats underlined. Power from wind turbines to charging stations HARTING is a technology partner covering the entire energy process chain – from the renewable energy generation of wind energy to decentralised energy storage and the DC infrastructure all the way through to e-mobility charging plugs. With this comprehensive scope, HARTING differentiates itself from its market competitors. HARTING is an enabler for reliable, clean and environmentally friendly e-mobility. The technology group is supplying charging solutions for Volkswagen’s modular e-drive system (MEB), as well as the Audi e-tron and the Porsche Taycan platforms, among others. Last summer, HARTING Automotive took the prestigious Volkswagen Group Award 2020 in the E-Mobility category. With this award, the Volkswagen Group acknowledged the exceptional achievements and high level of flexibility with which HARTING Automotive is contributing to the success of Volkswagen AG.As part of the HANNOVER MESSE format, the main areas of application for HARTING in the field of today’s charging infrastructure for electromobility were presented. One example of AC charging solutions is the Innogy Wall-Box, which can be used not only as a charging station in public areas, but also in the private sector as a Wall-Box. It underlines the trend towards modularity: with this customized OEM connectivity solution, HARTING ensures flexible and individual use by end users.In cooperation with Porsche, HARTING has created a DC charging solution that can transfer very high power to the vehicle’s energy storage system for a short time. A new innovative cooling technology ensures that all necessary parameters are maintained.HARTING Automotive has put in strong growth over the past three years. “E-mobility topics have shifted up three gears in a very short time. I am most pleased to see the continued strong demand for HARTING solutions in this area,” as Grinblats concludes. A keen eye on the mobility concepts of the futureHARTING has long been involved in the mobility concepts of the future. The Technology Group looks back on many years of successful cooperation with the innovative Swiss automobile manufacturer Rinspeed. The ground-breaking “metroSNAP” concept vehicle launched by Rinspeed AG is also – and once again -relying on innovative HARTING technology. HARTING is contributing a specially designed interface supplying the vehicle with Power, Data and Signals.

www.HARTING.com/IN

The award was bestowed on the “3deluxe” architecture firm / Almost 10,000 entries from 52 countries

The European Distribution Center (EDC), the new logistics hub of the HARTING Technology Group has been distinguished with the prestigious iF DESIGN AWARD 2021. The award went to the internationally active architecture firm “3deluxe” from Wiesbaden. The office designed a high-tech logistics centre with an adjacent administration building for HARTING.

The EDC was officially commissioned in the summer of 2019 with numerous guests from politics, business and administration attending, in addition to employees and their families. Featuring an automated small parts high-bay warehouse and a high-speed shuttle, one of the most innovative logistics centres in Europe has been created in Espelkamp in Eastern Westphalia – spreading out over an area of 18,000 square metres. Advanced, state-of-the-art logistics technology and ergonomic workplaces have been optimally combined here.
The European Distribution Center was awarded in the architecture discipline, in the Office / Industry category. Once a year, the IF DESIGN AWARD is bestowed by the world’s oldest independent design institution, the IF International Forum Design GmbH in Hanover. The EDC convinced the 98-member, independent, international jury of experts thanks to its modern, pleasantly open and light-flooded architecture. The number of applicants was huge: The jurors were tasked with awarding the coveted seal of approval from among almost 10,000 entries hailing from some 52 countries.
“The EDC underscores the company’s technological logistics expertise, as all of our innovative HARTING products and solutions are part and parcel of this lighthouse project,” as CEO Philip Harting stated. “I am proud of this acknowledgement. The iF DESIGN AWARD honours the work of the entire team,” emphasized Peter Seipp, managing director of “3deluxe”. In June 2020, “3deluxe” had already garnered the German Brand Award in Gold – also for the EDC assignment. The staircase in the reception area took the “Staircase of the Year 2019” award.

www.HARTING.com/IN