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Here is your digital guide to the global plastics
industry...
Weekly
Exclusives
Medical range of TPEs launched with 33
grades
A range of high-purity
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds, along with processing
and design tools and information, was launched at MD&M
Midwest by the Thermoplastic Elastomer Division of Teknor Apex
Co. (Pawtucket, RI). Called Medalist, the initial range
includes 33 compounds, with the products falling into three
series: Versatile Series (MD-100), designed to meet a variety
of medical requirements; Resilient Series (MD-200), formulated
for enhanced toughness and oil and heat-resistance; and
Bondable Series (MD-300), for overmolding onto different
thermoplastic substrates.
More...
TPE resin pricing: PE, PP fall; PS in
short supply
After a brief Ike-related
spike, spot polyethylene (PE) prices resumed their slide,
dropping $0.02/lb according to spot polymer trading platform
The
Plastics Exchange (TPE). TPE and partner The PetroChem
Wire report that the return of many plants in the gulf to full
production helped fuel the slide, as well as the drop in oil
and gas prices. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) injection and
blowmolding, as well as linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE) film, were in the high $0.70's/lb. High
molecular-weight polyethylene film grades remain tight, with
some offgrade non-filmable grades in the low $0.70's/lb.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film was scarce, according to
TPE, with available material offered in the mid $0.80's/lb.
LDPE injection was priced in the low $0.80's/lb. Looking
forward, TPE says many producers have lowered prices $0.07/lb
for September contracts, with some announcing plans to add a
$0.07/lb increase onto October contracts.
More...
Newsletter continued below...
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High-flow TPEs target auto
interiors, include IPs
Two new
thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) grades have been launched for
automotive applications, offering "ultra high flow" according
to the manufacturer, which allows automotive suppliers to mold
a base substrate and then overmold another material onto that
substrate in a single process step. Invision VX EP ultra
high-flow TPE and Invision(R) SLX slush TPE will be launched
by custom compounder A. Schulman (Akron, OH) at the Fakuma
event (Oct. 14-18; Friedrichshafen, Germany). The company says
the high flow allows two-shot processing normally seen in
consumer goods in larger automotive applications like
instrument and door panels, door bolsters, and armrests.
More...
Film extrusion: Accutech adds 7-layer
Gloucester line
Gloucester Engineering Co
Inc. (Gloucester, MA) has installed a 7-layer blown-film line
at Accutech Films (Coldwater OH), bringing that company's
total stable of lines to 15. The 64-inch-wide high-barrier
film line has two 50-mm 30:1 L:D extruders and five 40-mm 30:1
L:D extruders that surround a 12-inch diameter 7-layer
Optiflow low-profile die. The system features encapsulated
feed-port technology, and the extruder-extraction system
allows screw removal with the die in place. Gloucester
included an integrated control system that manages layer
ratios as well as providing Automatic Profile Control, cage
and collapser adjustments, and web-tension control.
More...
In the news...
Names
in the news
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U.S. machinery shipments drop in the
second quarter
More...
Resin supply: Rhodia shifts PA
production in Europe
More...
The Modern Blog
World's
largest Thixomolded part?
Although there is
debate whether the Durrani Racing Components 510 Series
magnesium motorcycle wheel that was on display last month at
National Manufacturing Week is the largest Thixomolded part in
production, there is no question they are impressive.
Launching the wheel last year, the manufacturer is a Thixomat
licensee and shared its Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
booth with that company, and its director of engineering,
Ralph Vining.
Read
more and weigh in...
In the
November Issue of MPW
State-of-the-art
rotomolding
Rotational molding fills a
processing niche that can leave it vulnerable to competitive
fabrication techniques like blowmolding and thermoforming, but
cutting-edge technology is helping it protect its turf, and
claim new ground. In November's Tech Trends, MPW sees
how rotational molding is even taking on injection molding and
steel in some instances.
The Rosemont
report
MPW offers on-the-floor
reports from the collocated shows of parent company, Canon
Communications, at the Donald Stephens Convention Center in
Rosemont, IL. Plastics USA joined a broad slate, including
Plastec Midwest, Manufacturing Week, MD&M Midwest,
Automation Assembly, and more.
Featured Events
International Plastic Fair
(IPF)
Nov. 6-11
International Plastic
Fair Assn.
Makuhari Messe, Tokyo, Japan
More...
Pack Expo International
2008
Nov. 9-13
Experient
McCormick
Place, Chicago, IL
More...
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