Strictly-Extrusion

Numerous plastics extruders make use of Mercury Contactors to supply power to the heaters. Mercury contactors from MDI and available through ICD Controls are ideal because of their high power capabilities and very long working life. The contactors are constructed with a body of hermetically sealed glass and stainless steel, all totally epoxy encapsulated. This gives an exterior resistant to both impact and moisture. Inert internal gases prevent excessive arcing between the mercury and metal electrodes, extending the components life and therefore saving
money.
Contactors range in size from 20 Amp to 100 Amp in single, two, three or four pole configurations with both normally open and normally closed contacts. Standard coil voltages range from 6VDC to 250VDC and 24VAC to 480VAC which cover the majority of applications. Non-standard coil voltages are available on request.

From May 6 to 10, 2003, the 13th Plast trade fair will be held at Fiera Milano in Milano, Italy. The event is one of the largest specialized trade fairs in the plastics and rubber sector worldwide.
The newly restructured Pigments & Additives Division of Clariant will present its new developments in the field of polymer materials in Hall 21, Booth Number E01. The high-performance innovations by Clariant contribute to optimized processing and significantly improved features for the use of plastics. At the Plast 2003, the focus is on innovative pigment concepts, highly effective additives for plastics stabilization and process control, as well as additives for the safe use of plastic products.
The Pigments & Additives Division has been a strong partner of the industry for many years, offering high-performance products and customer-oriented service. Now the Division strives to become even quicker and more flexible to respond to customer needs. For this reason, the Pigments and Additives sectors were combined on January 1, 2003. Now, four Business Units (BU): Coating Industries, Plastic Industries, Printing Industries and Specialized Industries, are tailored to the needs of each industry and serve customers from all over the world. The result is shorter processes on all levels, which guarantees Clariant`s customers an even more efficient relationship and optimized business processes.

Australian bakery Vili’s is the first user of a biodegradable cellulose-based flow-wrap film, CelloTherm T, manufactured by UCB Surface Specialities in the UK, which keeps pies and pastries in peak condition without the need for perforation.

The controlled permeability of CelloTherm T, achieved with a special two-side co-polymer coating, allows excess moisture to disperse at a controlled rate without the product becoming too dry. From baking to eating the product is kept in optimum condition in a pack which can be placed in an oven, pie warmer or microwave for re-heating.

The film has gloss and transparency, is easy to print, convert and heat-seal. It is static free and runs efficiently on a wide range of FFS machinery.

With the start-up of new capacities, additional capabilities and a significant product portfolioexpansion, ExxonMobil Chemical will be displaying its solutions-driven, global polymer capability on its stand number 413 in Hall 1 at DKT/IRC in Nuremberg. Specifically, the company’s technical and manufacturing expertise of over 67 years will be presented in two polymer portfolios – ethylene elastomers and butyl polymers. The combination of the newly added Santoprene TPVs to a complementary grade slate of Vistalon EP(D)M products provides customers of ExxonMobil Chemical with one of the broadest portfolios in the elastomer industry.

ENTEK Extruders has recently introduced its new extruder designed for the medical and pharmaceutical industry. The E-MAX 27 mm Twin-Screw Extruder is geared for output rates normally needed for medical and pharmaceutical applications, yet it has all of the user-friendly features that have made ENTEK’s other machines so successful. The machine is fully modular and self-contained, requiring only one power connection. The heating/cooling systems, as well as the PLC are mounted under the extruder in water and dust resistant enclosures. In addition to ease of installation, this feature assures trouble-free operation and makes servicing easier. The machine’s stainless steel exterior ensures fast and easy cleanup and protects the machine from corrosion. Just like the larger models of E-MAX twin-screw extruders, the 27 mm features an AC vector drive system and an Allen-Bradley PLC equipped with optional Ethernet for remote monitoring and troubleshooting.

A new, leading edge class of flame retardants will be produced on a commercial scale: on March 31, 2003, the foundation stone will be laid for an Exolit® OP production plant at the Clariant site in Knapsack, near Cologne, Germany. The flame retardant is non-halogenated and highly effective and was specially developed for use in glass-fibre reinforced thermoplastics. It satisfies important fire classifications and electrical standards as well as toxicological and ecological requirements. The new plant includes a reaction unit as well as packaging and storage facilities. The plant, which is scheduled to start operation at the end of 2004, is designed to produce several thousand metric tons per year. Clariant is investing several 10 million Euros in this plant. Another beneficial effect of the new facility is that it maintains a large number of jobs and even created 20 new jobs.
Exolit® OP is a non-halogenated flame retardant based on a metal phosphinate. It combines the high effectiveness of organophosphorus compounds with the advantageous properties of mineral flame retardants.

Consumption of PVC for profile extrusion in Europe will total more than 1.4m tonnes in 2003, British marketing group Applied Market Information Ltd.,UK, predicts in the current edition of its review of Europe´s 50 largest players. The profiles market, the second most important outlet for PVC-U after pipes and one of the fastest growing applications for rigid PVC, is undergoing concentration, AMI says.

The two Italian companies, predominant in the manufacture of capital equipment for the packaging industry, have announced a merger that will see them evolve as one of Europe’s foremost suppliers of machines for the production of packaging films and laminates.

Acknowledging the strengths and synergies of both businesses Primplast S.r.l and Polytech S.p.A. have joined forces to create a group that will compete internationally to offer the market a broad spectrum of extrusion knowledge and experience unparalleled under one roof.

As a united force the two companies offer the flexible packaging industry an exhaustive approach to investment in research and development, practical experience in turnkey projects, unique levels of technical know-how, and a dedication to quality.

Forged by the enthusiasm of a team of entrepreneurs already active within Primplast and aware of the importance of customer care, this new reality takes advantage of a joint company after-sales service that compliments its total quality vision.

Primplast S.r.l and Polytech S.p.A are two pro-active businesses joining strengths and resources to enhance and establish their global identity as a clear market leader in the supply of film extrusion and lamination equipment.

SML Extrusion Technology, Austria, is a leading manufacturer of spinning lines for the production of filaments out of polypropylene. The various fields of application of filament yarns require specific production processes and spinning lines. SML not only offers spinning lines for industrial yarns, like HT and MT, but also the necessary equipment for textile and carpet yarns. The well-established multifilament spinning line Austrofil FDY has recently been improved and is now available with a redesigned extruder screw allowing an increased output of up to 160 kg/h. Recently, a new machine type was designed for the production of medium tenacity yarns with a high number of single filaments and has a maximum output of 120 kg/h. Textile yarns out of polypropylene are used in garments such as sports and function wear, socks and stockings. Currently new fields of applications for PP-textile yarns are being developed, for example in the automotive industry. Yarns produced on SML multifilament spinning lines are distinguished by their good texturisation characteristics and excellent uniformity.

With Vivak® HT, Makroform is enhancing its established Vivak® series of polyester sheet with an innovative type featuring a convincing property profile. The attractions of the new material are its extraordinary high temperature resistance (HT = High Temperature) of up to 91 °C and its excellent rheological behaviour. Even for difficult tasks, it can be deep-drawn without pre-drying with no difficulty thus permitting the manufacture of complex moulded articles with low energy consumption. Like all products of the Vivak® series, the new type of sheet displays superior optic, mechanical and physical properties. Of no lesser importance are the excellent value for money and the fire prevention behaviour of the thermoforming sheet. Vivak® HT is particularly suitable for all deep draw applications and vacuum moulding. For example, it can be used for the manufacture of technical articles such as neon signs, displays or dispensing machines as well as being recommended for the glazing of ski-lift cabins.