Remaplan Anlagenbau GmbH, Germany has developed a new system for the production of sandwich boards. The boards consist of two extruded outer layer and a foamed core made of recycled HDPE. The thickness and density of the product can be adjusted on demand by the machine operator.
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The planned price hikes by polymer producers in the US and Europe are
starting to bite.In the US processors saw February prices of HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE increase by as much as 20% and have reported further price rises of between 6% and 10% in the last two weeks. Conversely PET and Polypropylene prices have continued to fall over the last 4 months but PVC price reports show a recent rise of around 10% In Europe the picture is similar with LDPE and LLDPE increased by as much as 5% and 7% respectively. HDPE prices appear unchanged but are unlikely to remain so. PET buyers are reporting hikes of around 5% and PVC buyers are
seeing an average increase of 7%. Polypropylene prices as yet have not been affected.
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Farrel Corp., USA has introduced New Hydron, the new underwater pelletizing system which generates clean, dry pellets from molten plastic feeds (including PP) with simple, hands-free operation. The compact system consists of a floor-mounted swivel table, roll cart, cutter assembly, water chamber, die plate, circulating water system, and a fast-cleaning centrifugal dryer. It uses patented die technology with 30% higher wattage than prior systems to improve polymer flow. Farrel says coil and rod heaters near the die holes provide the most concentrated die heating yet developed. Cutter knife configurations are available in three choices.
Ineos Acrylics Inc., USA has introduced a new masking film that can remain on the sheet through thermoforming. The masking film, used to protect plastic sheet from scratches, is usually removed prior to heating and thermoforming, and then must be reapplied to the finished part for shipping. The new film has been developed for its Lucite L and CP acrylic sheets and reportedly will not bubble during forming and can be removed easily.
Polyethylene resin exports from the US to Mexico are growing rapidly, due to the demand from construction, electronics and packaging industry. Analysts predict the nation still will rely strongly on imports in 2001.
Solvay Fluor und Derivate GmbH, Germany has introduced `Solkane 365mfc`, a new foaming agent for the foaming of different thermoplastics. The new foaming agent reportedly has clear economical and environmental advantages than conventional agents based on carbon dioxide.
Colortronic Inc., USA presents a new gravimetric blender that can run six blending stations. The blender `Ultrablend II` is available in four sizes with throughputs up to 4,000 pounds an hour.Features include quick-exchange storage hoppers, an easy-to-clean mixing chamber, infrared level sensor and a parabolic bowl that the company says improves blending.
Paragon Technology Inc., USA has developed a winder for putting a continuous strip of plastic or rubber onto reels or coils. Its nonlinear slide winding system reportedly eliminates voids and overlaps, and maintains a constant torque.
Chevron Chemical, USA has launched two new grades of LLDPE film resins with reportedly improved impact resistance, excellent hot-tack and heat-seal properties. The resins are produced by using BP Amoco’s gas-phase technology. The two new resins differ in their level of performance : Vytek reportedly offers improvements over Ziegler-Natta hexane and octene LLDPEs. Dynex is said to compare favorably with some metallocene LLDPEs.