The first LNG truck, powered solely by liquefied natural gas, left Kaneka Belgium in Westerlo-Oevel on its way to Germany. The brand-new LNG trucks of transport company DE DECKER – VAN RIET will be used exclusively for the international transport of Kaneka MS Polymer. This partnership enables both companies to combine their policy on innovation and sustainability to contribute towards a better climate and innovation and embed sustainability into their strategy more deeply.
“We consider ecology, sustainability, and safety in everything we do.”
Having obtained the ‘Lean & Green’ certificate, Kaneka aims to achieve a 22.1% reduction in CO2 emissions in its logistics processes. Numerous measures have since been implemented to help achieve this objective, such as the considerable reduction in road transport to the ports by the maximum deployment of inland shipping. In the meantime, a distribution centre was put into use at the company’s own premises, which has drastically reduced the number of shuttle loads to external warehouses. True to its ‘green procurement’ strategy, Kaneka entered into partnerships for multimodal freight transport within Europe.
“Obtaining the Lean & Green certificate challenged us to develop our supply chain even further. Our action plan has been ongoing for four years now and we have already achieved a CO2 reduction of over 20%. The deployment of LNG for international freight transport has officially started the sprint towards the ‘Green Star,” says Danny Beyltiens, Supply Chain Manager of Kaneka Belgium NV.
“Customers embrace the LNG initiative”
Making sustainable choices has a positive effect on the relationship with customers, authorities and society. By investing in modern infrastructure for storage and unloading raw materials from ships, 900 ADR trucks were removed from Belgian roads in 2019 alone. The use of LNG trucks for bulk deliveries of Kaneka MS Polymer (liquid polymers used as base materials for high-quality adhesives, sealants and coatings) to Germany will streamline the supply chain even further. Moreover, customers greatly appreciate being supplied by an LNG truck in a smart and sustainable way.
“DE DECKER – VAN RIET invests in three LNG trucks for Kaneka”
As a stepping stone to possible future applications, such as hydrogen and electricity, liquefied natural gas is a future-proof alternative that no longer imposes restrictions on long-distance transport. There already are enough LNG filling stations to enable smooth international transport. In addition to lower consumption, lower emissions and lower fuel costs, these trucks will also contribute towards the climate through their reduced CO2 emissions. As the purchase of an LNG truck requires a larger investment than a traditional truck, the contribution to the climate determines future policy.
“For the switch to LNG we have invested in three Scania R410 LNG trucks, exclusively for Kaneka. These will be used to supply the majority of Kaneka’s German MS Polymer customers from the Kaneka site in Westerlo. This partnership is the outcome of many years of strong collaboration with Kaneka and embeds innovation and sustainability even more deeply in our joint strategy,” adds Christophe Larock, Business Unit Manager Tank Transport at DE DECKER – VAN RIET.
www.kaneka.be
LNG trucks with lower CO2 emissions for long-distance transport deployed
Parquet reinvented with new Ultimtec technology
- Parquet with a revolutionary varnish
- A collection dedicated to decision-makers and professionals
BerryAlloc is launching a completely new oak parquet collection. It is an eloquent illustration of the two principles that define its brand: very high quality coupled with state- of-the-art technology. This vision is acclaimed every day by clients, interior designers and fitters.
The collection has been entirely rethought, as the fruit of two years of research by the R&D department and various partners (colours and finishes co-created by a team of architects, colourists and designers). As such, it is a remarkable demonstration of this French manufacturer’s savoir faire.
Thanks to its exclusive Ultimtec technology, BerryAlloc’s new collection succeeds in bringing together:
- The delicate natural beauty of oiled parquet.
- The ease of maintenance of a varnished parquet that is easy to clean, robust and long-lasting.
Ultimtec varnish respects the wood and contains no solvents or chemical reagents. It is obtained by impregnating the wood with a primer with a basis rich in aluminium oxide, then applying a UV acrylic finish. Besides the elegant decorative result that preserves the depth and nuance of every tint in the wood, it offers:
- An exceptional matt finish that meets the high requirements of homeowners and decorators. The matt surface obtained with the innovative Ultimtec finish comes very close to that of natural wood;
- Exceptional resistance to wear and tear and scratching. In terms of abrasion resistance, Ultimtec’s performance is higher than 15,000 Taber CS10 cycles: in other words, it is far higher than the demands of the NF standard, which requires a minimum of 12,000 cycles;
- Simplified maintenance and cleaning. It is no longer necessary to oil the parquet to preserve its original beauty.
A new approach based on colour and design
The consumer’s natural reflex is to choose their parquet by colour, then texture. BerryAlloc bore this intuitive process in mind when compiling its new collection of parquets divided into two ranges: Les Essentiels, offering solid value in floor decoration, and Les Exclusifs, with a selection of deep colours and distinctive characters.
The colours of the 19 options have been completely redesigned and adapted to the different markets.
Les Essentiels is a palette of 10 colours offering solid value. Their names evoke the beauty of materials found in nature.
Les Exclusifs are a premium range that includes 10 meticulously designed colours with an enhanced sense of depth. Their names evoke wide, open landscapes.
Opt for sustainable and responsible development
Deciding on a BerryAlloc oak parquet is a responsible choice. The biggest French parquet manufacturer has always prioritised sustainable development by using naturally sourced materials and renewable resources.
BerryAlloc’s parquets have a positive carbon footprint, which means their environmental impact is low. What is more, they have PEFC, Parquets de France and A+ certification.
Technical specifications
- High-performance innovative varnish Ultimtec
- High-tech parquet structure
- 3 layers assembled at high pressure and a low temperature
- 5 or 3.3 mm fine wood veneer
- Body in high-density fibreboard (HDF)
- Resin stabiliser
- Advantages of HDF structure: density of 875kg/m³, shock resistant, less echo and increased efficiency when used with underfloor heating.
Grand Release of Award-Winning Ultra Helix 250 T2 Nozzle
Husky Injection Molding Systems, a leading industrial technology provider to the plastics processing community, is proud to announce the release of the newest addition to the Ultra Helix Valve Gate nozzle lineup, the Ultra Helix 250 T2. The advanced design of Ultra Helix nozzles minimizes wear, providing industry leading gate quality and longevity. The award-winning Ultra Helix 250 T2 was specifically developed to extend the benefits of the Ultra Helix technology for small part weights with difficult to access gate locations.
Direct gating for small parts
With a 12mm nozzle bore, the Ultra Helix 250 T2 allows for direct gating in locations not achievable with larger nozzles. The pitch spacing down to 15mm enables the highest cavitation density and smallest mold footprint.
Reduced maintenance
The Ultra Helix 250 T2’s extended maintenance interval PX actuation is designed for applications with leakage prone resins like TPE and PE. The addition of a stem seal paired with enhanced thermal management heater technology improves performance and significantly optimizes maintenance requirements. This results in lower risk and cost of ownership.
Three actuation options available
The Individual Pneumatic option offers pitch spacing down to 25.4mm, providing ease of access for maintenance with the ability to individually access valve stems without removing the backing plate. Both the plate actuated UltraSync-P or servo driven UltraSync-E options can achieve 15mm pitch spacing.
Producing part weights of less than 0.1g
Our global customers are already taking advantage of the Ultra Helix 250 T2’s performance to make high quality precision parts from medical barrier closures and flow regulation valves to personal care products, food and beverage packaging and flip top closures. The part weights being produced range from less than 0.1g to over 4g and are being made from resins that are prone to leakage like PP, HDPE, LDPE, TPE and TPV, in both single injection and multi-material applications. The Ultra Helix 250 T2 is already demonstrating its superior performance for small part weight with difficult to access gate location applications in both Individual Pneumatic and UltraSync actuations. The extended maintenance interval for leakage prone resins is providing additional value for the customer.
Award winning technology
The Ultra Helix 250 T2 received an award at the 2020 Plastics Industry – Ringier Technology Innovation Awards in the Mold and Component category. Contending products were evaluated based on their ability to improve product efficacy through technological innovation or provide new business opportunities for the market. Winners were selected by professionals from industry associations and scientific research institutions.
The features and benefits of the Ultra Helix 250 T2 make it the ideal solution for specialty and flip-top closures, small medical parts and multi-material parts with limited gate access.
https://www.husky.co/
Recyclingtech Doubles its Capacity with New Headquarters
The specialist in waste processing and shredding technology, founded in Austria in 1948, celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its new factory premises on 18 September 2020. Strengthened by the successes of recent years and its solid corporate management, the company is investing in a new site covering over 45,000 square metres. In addition to a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the new headquarters will become an international Centre of Excellence for waste recovery and recycling – in keeping with the circular economy concept.
When the Lindner machine factory opened its doors in the 1940s, the company manufactured sawmill equipment. The big transformation happened in the late 80s and the company was one of the first started to delve into shredding and waste processing – Lindner Recyclingtech was born. Today, 72 years later, recycling and the sustainable use of resources are among the pressing issues of our time and the Spittal-based family business is one of the world’s leading companies when it comes to turning waste into a valuable resource.
‘At the moment, the industry is undergoing a major change. Recycling rates and quality requirements for end materials are constantly rising and so we are continuing to develop new systems. Systems that enable our clients to meet these requirements,’ explains CEO and owner Manuel Lindner during the ground-breaking ceremony at the future Spittal-Ost headquarters. ‘To ensure that we can continue to do this efficiently, we are doubling our capacity and relying on the latest production technologies that meet industry 4.0 standards.’
Besides a robot-assisted manufacturing facility and a modern logistics centre, an academy focusing on recycling technology will be built on the 45,000 square metre site. As Michael Lackner, Managing Director, states: ‘We were one of the industry’s pioneers and accumulated an enormous amount of application expertise. Today, we see ourselves not only as a machine manufacturer and technology partner, but also as a source of knowledge for our clients. That’s why it is so important to us to constantly expand this know-how, develop new solutions and systematically prepare and pass on the knowledge gained. We are looking forward to welcoming you soon to the new home of recycling.’
www.lindner.com
The first flexible acrylic sheet ShieldUp Flex
The flexible acrylic sheet, ShieldUp Flex, gives designers greater freedom to shape their 2D pieces and simplifies the manufacturing processes. Lalou Roucayrol attests to this with his new trimaran, Arkema 4, the glazings use ShieldUp Flex acrylic glass. A wonderful example for this world premiere, paving the way into many other markets.
A major innovation in the world of transparent flexible plastic, ShieldUp Flex acrylic sheet can be bent manually, without any thermoforming. This technical revolution saves time and money in the design of 2D curved pieces or other that demand flexible material. The Altuglas International research team, based at the Lacq Research Center (France), has managed to overcome a key technological hurdle of PMMA, previously known for its rigidity. The sheet has been made flexible, without adding any plasticizers and without altering its properties. Additionally,its material is extremely chemical and impact resistant, making this patented innovation the ideal solution for projects that require transparency, durability, lightweight, shock resistance and flexibility.
Lalou Roucayrol, the shipbuilder of the Arkema 4, the group’s new Multi50-class trimaran, was specifically looking for this unprecedented combination of benefits for the boat’s glazings (roof and cockpit):
- perfect visibility and very strong shock resistance under extreme weather conditions, to enhance skipper safety
- a significant weight reduction, to further the constant pursuit of improved boat performance levels, thanks to the use of a thinner sheet
- easy window installation.
ShieldUp Flex sheet satisfied all of those expectations, in particular its implementation: simplified processing through the complete elimination of the thermoforming step. This allowed the designers to manually bend the cut sheet to the desired dimensions and glue it directly to the boat. As Lalou puts it, “ShieldUp Flex was THE product we’d been waiting for: reduced weight, better resistance and, above all, flexible implementation without the need for a long and painstaking thermoforming phase. Thank you Flex!”
No possibility of mistakes and precious time saved on projects! This is a terrific example of one application of this world premiere, on board of the Arkema 4 trimaran, to whose crew we wish fair winds!
Over and above its easy implementation, the new flexible acrylic sheet, ShieldUp Flex, also opens up new design possibilities for 2D curved pieces. We will find it used in traditional PMMA applications like vehicle glazings (RVs, boats, cars, motorcycles, etc.), but also in industrial glazings, signage, lighting, interior architecture and design, as well as COVID-secure protective screens. There is no doubt that this kind of innovation will pave the way for new applications, be they in electronics (smart object screens) or personal protective equipment, a field that is more relevant today than ever.
https://www.altuglas.com
Spectrum Plastics Group increases Sterile Medical Flexible Packaging capabilities with its acquisition of PeelMaster Medical Packaging
Spectrum Plastics Group –the market leading specialty medical packaging, component and contract manufacturer, has closed on the acquisition of PeelMaster Medical Packaging Corporation (“PeelMaster”).
Based in Niles, Illinois, PeelMaster is a full-service converter of sterile flexible packaging to the medical device market. Founded in 1989, PeelMaster produces pouches, header bags and die cut lids for medical applications.
PeelMaster has been an Authorized Converter of DuPont™ Tyvek® since its inception and, with the acquisition, Spectrum Plastics Group has also been granted Authorized Converter status from DuPont.
“The addition of PeelMaster advances our position as a custom, scalable flexible packaging supplier for the medical device sector. Their focus on quality and customer service fit squarely with Spectrum Plastics Group’s commitment to providing our customers with a first-rate experience,” says John Wolf, President, Films Division. “Additionally, we are very pleased to partner with DuPont as an Authorized Converter of Tyvek® to continue providing superior sterile packaging to the healthcare industry.”
Bill Sieck, President of PeelMaster, remarks, “This is a great day for PeelMaster Medical Packaging and we are pleased to join Spectrum Plastics Group. The two companies complement one another very well, and we are thrilled to have found such a partner to carry PeelMaster forward in the years to come.”
https://www.spectrumplastics.com
ProAmpac Acquires Rosenbloom Groupe Inc., Hymopack Ltd. and Dyne-A-Pak
Enhances Manufacturing Capabilities and Broadens Packaging Product Offerings for Grocery, Retail and Quick Service Restaurant Customers
ProAmpac, a leader in flexible packaging, today announced that it has acquired Rosenbloom Groupe Inc., Hymopack Ltd. and Dyne-A-Pak, private businesses based in Canada that manufacture packaging products. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Rosenbloom Groupe, Hymopack Ltd. and Dyne-A-Pak are leading suppliers to North American retailers, grocery chains and quick service restaurants (QSR), as well as wholesale distribution companies, specializing in the manufacturing of paper bags, plastic bags and can liners, and foam packaging trays. With this acquisition, ProAmpac expands its manufacturing capabilities and broadens the product offering it provides to retail, grocery and QSR customers.
Greg Tucker, CEO of ProAmpac, said, “All of us at ProAmpac have deep respect for the legacy and long history of excellence of the Rosenbloom Group of companies. We are pleased to add this strong business to our platforms, which enhances our presence in Canada and allows us to broaden our product offering in the United States. With the Rosenbloom, Dyne-A-Pak and Hymopack brands as part of the ProAmpac family, we will deliver even greater value and services to our customers.”
Richard Rosenbloom of Rosenbloom Groupe said, “As a third-generation family business, it was important for us to partner with an organization that understands our values and respects our culture. The ProAmpac team has demonstrated an appreciation for our history and I look forward to working collaboratively with Greg as we seamlessly bring our organizations together. Our capabilities are highly complementary with ProAmpac’s operations, and I am confident this combination will deliver compelling value to our customers and exciting opportunities for our team.”
Gerry Maldoff, President of Hymopack, added, “With the expanded resources, scale and combination with ProAmpac, our business will be well-positioned for growth. I am excited to work with ProAmpac to enhance our plastic packaging and manufacturing capabilities and provide a broader product offering to a growing base of grocery, retail, distribution and QSR customers.”
Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and other co-investors. With the addition of the Rosenbloom Groupe, ProAmpac has 35 sites globally, with nearly 4,600 employees supplying more than 5,000 customers in 90 countries. ProAmpac manufactures flexible packaging for various consumer, healthcare, e-commerce, retail and industrial goods markets. Rosenbloom Groupe’s brands will continue in Canada and will maintain operations at its manufacturing facilities.
Chris Trick, Investment Partner at Pritzker Private Capital, said, “We are excited to welcome Rosenbloom Groupe to the ProAmpac and Pritzker Private Capital families. We look forward to our continued partnership with Greg and the entire ProAmpac team as the company continues to deliver the best possible products and services to its customers.”
https://www.proampac.com/
PLASTIC BAGS – HELPFUL OR HARMFUL?
If you were given a product that would help make your life easier for just 12 minutes but would have a negative impact on the planet for up to 1000 years, would you use it?
The average use-life of a plastic bag is precisely that. 12 minutes. And yes, it takes up to 1000 years to break down. Plastic bags are toxic to the environment even after they break down because they do not biodegrade, they photo-degrade. This means that after it degrades, it breaks down into smaller and smaller toxic bits of itself – and bleeds and contaminates the environment. But this does not stop us. According to The World Counts, we use 5 trillion plastic bags per year, with each one of us personally accountable for over 700 of these. If we multiply our individual use by the minutes of use, in total, we will use these bags for 5.8 days out of each year. Still, they will remain on earth not just for our lifetime, but for our children’s lifetime, and our grandchildren’s lifetime, and our great grandchildren’s, and their great grandchildren’s, and their great grandchildren’s, and, well, you get the idea. The plastic bag that helped you just a little earlier today will pollute the earth, and it will pollute our oceans, and most likely will never leave.
Every plastic bag ever produced is still on this planet. It is either landfilled, broken down into micro pieces in the environment, being reused, and a small percentage has been recycled back into plastic. Until now, with the introduction of innovative “end-of-life” upcycling solutions, there was no “away” when we threw out our plastic bags.
So, what is being done? More and more countries are banning or regulating the use of plastic bags in supermarkets and retail stores. Retailers have started charging for bags and no longer automatically dispense them. This has had fantastic results with many customers (you and me) bringing their own reusable bags. This has drastically reduced usage worldwide. And this means fewer animals will die. Fewer bags will be produced. Less petroleum will be used.
The result of this small sacrifice on our part is a better and healthier environment for everyone.
Another solution, as mentioned, is a unique chemical recycling technology, Clariter, which is able to upcycle plastic bags into crude-oil alternative industrial products which are used as ingredients to make over 1000 clean everyday products.
So, the next time you are offered this cheap and handy and readily available product that will make your life easier for a few minutes ask yourself if it is really worth the negative impact to our environment? While we do not foresee a total ban on plastic bags, we can each take responsibility to use less. Let us start helping our environment, and the animals that are affected by being mindful of how we use plastic bags.
https://clariter.com
Ideal for large-diameter pipes – less sagging, bet-ter quality
First Israeli pipe manufacturer investing in new-generation high-performance extruder from battenfeld-cincinnati
“The most outstanding advantages of the new extruder are low melt temperature with high output” is how Fuad Dweik, Managing Partner of Palad HY Industries Ltd., domiciled in Migdal HaEmek, Israel, sums up his assessment of the recently commissioned solEX NG 75-40 from battenfeld-cincinnati GmbH, Bad Oeynhausen. He is a long-standing customer of the German machine manufacturer and was the first pipe manufacturer in Israel to opt for the single screw extruder of the latest generation, which offers many additional advantages.
Palad HY, which was founded in 1997, ranks among the leading manufacturers of HDPE and PVC pipes in Israel. The ISO 9001:2008-certified pipe producer is well known for its range of large-diameter pipes with maximum diameters of 1,200 mm for HDPE pipes and 500 mm for PVC pipes. In addition to its domestic market, Palad HY also serves customers in Eastern and Western Europe, South America and Africa, to which about 25% of its annual production volume of currently about 20,000 t is exported. The company’s product range includes fresh water and sewage pipes as well as pipes for natural gas distribution systems, and protective conduits for electricity and communication lines.
Palad has been a customer of battenfeld-cincinnati right from the beginning and now operates several lines with machines from the extrusion specialist.
“In view of our positive experience with the machine technology from Germany, we have again chosen an extruder from battenfeld-cincinnati for our most recent investment, and we were not disappointed”, Rami Dweik, son of the proprietor and responsible for the production as Deputy Manager, reports. On the contrary! The solEX NG 75-40 installed at the beginning of this year belongs to the new generation of high-performance single screw extruders from battenfeld-cincinnati.
At Palad, it has replaced an old extruder in a PE 100 pipe extrusion line. “We are particularly impressed with the lower melt temperature compared to the previously used extruder, combined with better melt homogeneity and consequently better pipe quality”, Fuad Dweik adds. Thanks to the lower melt temperature, Palad also achieves significantly more even wall thickness distributions within extremely narrow tolerances, plus less undesirable sagging. Of course, the better pipe quality also reduces material consumption and produces less scrap. “Both the material savings and the roughly 10% reduction in energy consumption due to the lower heating rates make this extruder a particularly cost-efficient alternative”, concludes the General Manager, who is already thinking about a further investment in another solEX NG extruder of the new generation for other existing lines.
The completely redesigned processing unit is responsible for the above-mentioned advantages of the new solEX NG extruders, which are available with screw diameters of 60, 75, 90 and 120 mm and cover a throughput range from 750 to 2,500 kg/h, compared to the well-established and still available predecessor series. The internally grooved barrel in combination with a matching screw and grooved bushing geometry offers substantial improvements in process technology: a reduced axial pressure profile lessens machine wear, high specific output rates with lower screw speeds ensure high efficiency, and the gentle but highly effective and homogeneous melting performance at about 10 °C lower melt temperatures compared to conventional processing units delivers high end product quality with significant cost savings in production.
Assuming that energy costs are 0.10 EUR/kWh, about 18,000 EUR in operating costs can be saved due to the 10% lower energy consumption at full output capacity alone. Depending on the machine model compared with, savings of up to 15% are possible. Even higher cost cuts can also be achieved in production by material savings through reduced sagging as a result of low melt temperatures, especially in large-diameter pipe production.
Finally, the pipe manufacturer Palad HY appreciates the extruder’s intuitively operated BCtouch UX control system which, in addition to modern functionalities also includes the possibility of individualization or personalized user interfaces. “For our staff, it is a great benefit that the equipment can now even be operated in Hebrew, and that the battenfeld-cincinnati service team is available 24/7”, is the final praise for his extrusion equipment supplier expressed by Rami Dweik.
Right: Fuad Dweik Managing Partner of Palad H.Y.
www.battenfeld-cincinnati.com