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NPE 2000 preview
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NPE 2000 Preview
The largest plastics exhibition this year, NPE 2000, will be held from 19-23 June at McCormick Place, Chicago, USA. The organizers report that there will be a record number of exhibitors for the event, which is expected to exceed 2000.Visitor pre-registration is also up on last time and the expectations are that total registration will also surpass the total set in 1997. PlasticsAdditives & Compounding looks at some of the exhibitors of interest in the field of plastics additives and equipment of specific interest to compounders.
Additives Mould release agents, both internal and external, will be on show at Axel Plastics Research Laboratories (Stand number 13754; Hall El). These include Moldwiz external mould release and XTEND semi-permanent mould releases. Cataphote Inc. (Stand number 10861; Hall D 1 and D2) is the manufacturer of Microperl, solid glass beads used as additives and reinforcement for many plastic resin systems. The latest technology in liquid colours for thermoplastics will be demonstrated by ColorMatrix Corporation (Stand number 7440; Hall B1 and B2). Products include liquid colourant systems for extrusion, injection moulding and blow moulding; specialized colour systems for PET and other resins; liquid colour additive packages; complete liquid colour systems, including custommatched liquid colours, containerization and advanced metering equipment for accurate and controlled colour dispensing; and FDA, EEC and HPB compliant colourants. Oleochemical polymer additives from Croda (Stand number 13213; Hall El) are used as slip and antiblock additives. Traditional antiblock additives may cause problems in polymer film, including adverse effects on gloss and transparency, scratch markings and adsorption of other additives. Croda has developed amide blends that can be used to partially Plastics Additives &
replace the inorganic antiblock and provide slip and antiblock properties without these problems. Up to 50% of the inorganic antiblock may be replaced and the total addition level remains the same. This solution has proved effective in PE, PP and metallocene technology films. The company also has the Crodastat range of long term antistatic additives. These are amine-free products for use in sensitive electronics packaging. They are also highly thermally stable, allowing processing in a wide range of polymers. Products within the Crodamide range of fatty acid amides that can provide controlled levels of medium slip consistently. Coefficient of friction values between 0.2 and 0.4 can be easily achieved with one additive with good repeatability. DynamarTM polymer processing additives, traditionally used in polyolefin blown film applications, will be part of the product offering from Dyneon (Stand number 8036; Hall C1 and C2). The company has developed second generation multi-purpose processing additives that can now be used in non-traditional markets and applications. These include demanding conditions in wire and cable insulation and jacketing, extrusion blow moulding, pipes and tubing, extruded fibres and other extrusion processes. The benefits of using Dynamar polymer processing aids are claimed to be the elimination of melt fracture, reduction of die build-up, reduction of gel formation, possible out-
CompoundingJune2000
22
put improvements and a reduction in energy consumption. EPI Environmental Products Inc. (Stand number 9213; Hall C1 and C2) specializes in innovative and environmentally responsible products for the plastics packaging industry. This includes developing new compounds and additives that make plastic an environmentally friendly product, such as chemical foaming agents for injection, extrusion and blow moulding. Expancel (Stand number 12720; Hall D1 and D2) produces expandable thermoplastic microspheres for use as a heat activated foaming agent. The microspheres can be used in most plastics processes for density reduction and to improve physical properties such as impact resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation and compression set. They can also be used to eliminate shrinkage, reduce material costs and shorten cycle times. Glassflake (Stand number 14659; Hall El) produces a new reinforcement additive that can give significant performance benefits in thermopolymers and elastomeric compounds. Materials containing glass flake have better abrasion resistance, increased heat distortion temperatures, greater dimensional stability, reduced creep, low warpage, higher flame retardancy, lower permeability, as well as good resistance to weathering and corrosion. J & JH Company (Stand number 11262; Hall D1 and D2) supplies spe-
NPE ciality colourants and additives. The company offering includes solvent dyes, phosphorescent pigments, marble pigments, granite pigments, photochromic pigments and thermal pigments. Nubiola (Stand number 13003; Hall El) will be showing its Nubiflow pigments that the company says offers improved dispersability in ultramarines. Nubiflow is processed to result in very fine ultramarine pigment with a narrow particle size distribution - all the particles are below 10 microns. The product is particularly suitable for the fibre producer where particle size distribution is important. In fibre production screens are positioned in front of the spinneret to eliminate oversized particles. Nubiflow passes through these screens without causing undue increases in pressure. High impact wollastonite grades for polyolefin applications are offered by Nyco (Stand number 12823; Hall D1 and D2). Nyglos 8 10972 and M 15 Wollastocoat 10042 are both fine diameter, high aspect ratio products improved to increase notched Izod impact strength by 20-30% compared with untreated wollastonite and competitive mineral reinfbrcements. These products were engineered to meet new requirements for impact performance in automotive applications, such as instrument panels and thin walled fascias.The new high impact grades also provide improved mar and scratch resistance and lower CLTE without loss in stiffness. Silberline Manufacturing Company (Stand number 13828; Hall El) will show its range of aluminium and other related effect pigments.
try, including extruders and pelletizers. Blenders, mixers and other auxiliary equipment will feature on Brabender Technologie's booth (Stand number 5986; Hall B1 and B2). B & P Process Equipment and Systems' (Stand number 7126; Hall B1 and B2) CT series compounders are versatile, rugged extruders, claims the company. The CT compounders offer flexibility and design features including high speed and high torque designs, a full selection of process elements and barrel designs, and elements that are compatible with the ZSK standards. The CT Series extruders range from the 25ram laboratory model to the 133mm high torque production compounders. Among the exhibits at Conair (Stand number 3449) is a portable blending unit, the GB221 AutoWeigh gravimetric blender and the XB440 extrusion blender that has adaptive control functions to increase extruder yield by up to 4%. There is also the Central Distribution System, a four hopper central drying and conveying system that incorporates several innovations. The Davis-Standard (Stand number 6107; Hall B1 and B2) display will
2000
include D-TEX twin screw compouding extruders that are built for durability and high processing speeds. An in-line compounding extruder arrangement with a 96.5mm D-TEX twin screw extruder will be shown. The company says that the versatility of the D-TEX makes it ideal for in-line compounding applications. Draiswerke Inc. (Stand number 14503; Hall El) will exhibit its high performance Gelimat ® Compounding System. The Drais Gelimat Compounder is an ultra high speed thermokinetic mixing, fluxing and compounding system for processing of both virgin and recycled polymers, as welt as highly loaded compounds and masterbatches. The company's latest development is the Gelimat Compounder G-HVA, which is a high speed, high energy density compounder. The machine has been specifically developed for difficult compounding, mixing and dispersing applications. Entek Extruders (Stand number 11564; Hall DI and D2) offers a range twin screw extrusion equipment from comprehensive turnkey extrusion systems to the smallest screw element. The company says that it includes the following features on all its extruders: dependable, mainte-
Compoundingequipment Acrison (Stand number 8566; Hall C1 and C2) is a leading supplier of metering, hoppering and blending equipment and related controls and control systems. The company says that its equipment is known for being rugged and durable, with low maintenance requirements Akron Extruders (Stand number 5440; Hall B 1 and B2) manufactures a line of heavy-duty single screw extruders. Berstorff (Stand number 2944; Hall A1 and A2) will be exhibiting its range of equipment for the compounding indusPlastics Additives & CompoundingJune2000
23
| NPE
2000
nance-friendly AC motors; on-board programmable logic controller; and an operator control panel with real time trending. Entek Extruders has recently opened a new $5.5 million building for its extrusion division. The new facility will enable customers to trial its materials on the company's range of twin screw extruders, which includes the E-Max. The Ultima Compounder TM will be unveiled at the show by Farrel Corporation (Stand number 6007; Hall B1 and B2). The company says that the newly developed two-stage plastics compounding machine offers the highest dispersive mixing capability of any compounder yet developed. The Ultima Compounder is the combination of a two stage continuous mixer and a single screw extruder on a unitized support frame. Primary applications are likely to be fibre grade dispersion of pigments, mixing of nanocomposites and the direct injection of plasticizers and liquid stabilizers in PVC. Additional uses include wood flour compounding, incorporation of high levels of inorganic fillers, polymer alloying and the processing of temperature-sensitive materials and rubberbased products. The Ultima Compounder provides extra mixing length and residence time, good mixing capabilities and an expanded polymer processing window. More versatile than its original continuous mixer, it now features variable operating L:D from 5/1 to 10/1 to meet the needs of more demanding applications. The Farrel ® CP-Series II TM Compact Processors for a broad range of polymer compounding have also been improved and undergone functional design simplifications for improved operator and maintenance access. A selection of pelletizers and other equipment will be on the stand of Gala Industries (Stand number 5380; Hall B1 and B2). The company produces underwater pelletizers that are suitable for pellet rates from 9-5500kg/h. Machinery on display include the SPAC-6 underwater pelletizer, SPAC-7 underwater pelletizer, LPU laboratory pelletizing system and the MB500 masterbatch pelletizing system. ICMA San Giorgio SpA (Stand number 6188; Hall B1 and B2) produces coPlastics Additives &
rotating twin screw extruders and complete extrusion lines for compounds, masterbatches and sheet direct compounding. Extruders range from 33175mm (speed from 150-1200rpm) with output from 20kg/h to 5 tonnes/h. New HT high torque extruders for increased output and special machines for reactive compounds and recycling of technopolymers are now available. On display on Krupp Werner & Pfleiderer's booth (Stand number 6140, 6150; Hall B1 and B2) will be the ZSK 58 MEGAcompounder dedicated to a wood fibre composite process; a ZSK 50 MEGA compounder focusing on colour masterbatch; and a ZSK 25 World Lab Extruder for research and development and small lot production. Feeders, vacuum loaders and related process control equipment are offered by K-Tron (Stand number 2114; Hall A1 and A2) to control the flow of bulk materials. Leistritz (Stand number 230; Hall A1 and A2) offers twin screw extruders and systems for compounding, reacting, devolatilizing and direct extrusion. Maguire Products (Stand number 7171) will introduce the WST 110 to its Weigh Scale Totalizer TM line of machines, which function in the same way as Maguire's gravimetric Weigh Scale Blenders using the same control software and provide the same high level of dosing precision. The new line of machines can meter pre-blended or single component materials directly into processing machines to control consumption and monitor throughput, but are small enough for mounting at the extruder throat. Merritt Davis Corporation (Stand number 6162; Hall B1 and B2) manufactures extruders and extrusion systems for reclaim, compounding, profile, blown film, wire & cable and sheet processing. Movacolor (Stand number 7318; Hall B 1 and B2) manufactures additive feeders and other auxiliary equipment. The company says that its equipment is capable of measuring quantities from 0.05g/h to 25kg/h. PTi/Processing Technologies (Stand number 8018; Hall C1 and C2) is a manufacturer of extrusion systems for applications in sheet, film, foam sheet,
CompoundingJune2000
24
co-extrusion, compounding, pipe, profile, fibre and reclaim. New on the stand of Rieter Automatik (Stand number 6562; Hall B1 and B2) is the PRIMO E range of strand pelletizers. This new range of dry cut pelletizers increases the company's product offering by providing solutions for laboratories and small batches of special compounds. The design of the pelletizer enables it to be adapted to suit a variety of system configurations within existing pelletizing operations, such as cooling troughs and sieving machines, while using standard layouts. The E-Type strand pelletizers are available in two sizes, with different input widths and the ability to process up to20 strands. The throughput of polyamide compounds can be up to 640kg/h, depending on the size of the system and the number of strands being used. The machine has a mobile base-frame to move the equipment and easy access to the cutting tools. Theysohn Extrusionstechnik (Stand number 13506; Hall El) will exhibit the whole Theysohn Torque Master Series. The company says that these represent the latest technology in parallel twin screw extrusion. Up to 50% increased maximum torque load of the gearbox improves the lifetime of the drive units to ensure trouble-free production over a long period of time. This makes the machines reliable and efficient, says the company. •
[
NPE 2000 Preview
The largest plastics exhibition this year, NPE 2000, will be held from 19-23 June at McCormick Place, Chicago, USA. The organizers report that there will be a record number of exhibitors for the event, which is expected to exceed 2000.Visitor pre-registration is also up on last time and the expectations are that total registration will also surpass the total set in 1997. PlasticsAdditives & Compounding looks at some of the exhibitors of interest in the field of plastics additives and equipment of specific interest to compounders.
Additives Mould release agents, both internal and external, will be on show at Axel Plastics Research Laboratories (Stand number 13754; Hall El). These include Moldwiz external mould release and XTEND semi-permanent mould releases. Cataphote Inc. (Stand number 10861; Hall D 1 and D2) is the manufacturer of Microperl, solid glass beads used as additives and reinforcement for many plastic resin systems. The latest technology in liquid colours for thermoplastics will be demonstrated by ColorMatrix Corporation (Stand number 7440; Hall B1 and B2). Products include liquid colourant systems for extrusion, injection moulding and blow moulding; specialized colour systems for PET and other resins; liquid colour additive packages; complete liquid colour systems, including custommatched liquid colours, containerization and advanced metering equipment for accurate and controlled colour dispensing; and FDA, EEC and HPB compliant colourants. Oleochemical polymer additives from Croda (Stand number 13213; Hall El) are used as slip and antiblock additives. Traditional antiblock additives may cause problems in polymer film, including adverse effects on gloss and transparency, scratch markings and adsorption of other additives. Croda has developed amide blends that can be used to partially Plastics Additives &
replace the inorganic antiblock and provide slip and antiblock properties without these problems. Up to 50% of the inorganic antiblock may be replaced and the total addition level remains the same. This solution has proved effective in PE, PP and metallocene technology films. The company also has the Crodastat range of long term antistatic additives. These are amine-free products for use in sensitive electronics packaging. They are also highly thermally stable, allowing processing in a wide range of polymers. Products within the Crodamide range of fatty acid amides that can provide controlled levels of medium slip consistently. Coefficient of friction values between 0.2 and 0.4 can be easily achieved with one additive with good repeatability. DynamarTM polymer processing additives, traditionally used in polyolefin blown film applications, will be part of the product offering from Dyneon (Stand number 8036; Hall C1 and C2). The company has developed second generation multi-purpose processing additives that can now be used in non-traditional markets and applications. These include demanding conditions in wire and cable insulation and jacketing, extrusion blow moulding, pipes and tubing, extruded fibres and other extrusion processes. The benefits of using Dynamar polymer processing aids are claimed to be the elimination of melt fracture, reduction of die build-up, reduction of gel formation, possible out-
CompoundingJune2000
22
put improvements and a reduction in energy consumption. EPI Environmental Products Inc. (Stand number 9213; Hall C1 and C2) specializes in innovative and environmentally responsible products for the plastics packaging industry. This includes developing new compounds and additives that make plastic an environmentally friendly product, such as chemical foaming agents for injection, extrusion and blow moulding. Expancel (Stand number 12720; Hall D1 and D2) produces expandable thermoplastic microspheres for use as a heat activated foaming agent. The microspheres can be used in most plastics processes for density reduction and to improve physical properties such as impact resistance, thermal and acoustic insulation and compression set. They can also be used to eliminate shrinkage, reduce material costs and shorten cycle times. Glassflake (Stand number 14659; Hall El) produces a new reinforcement additive that can give significant performance benefits in thermopolymers and elastomeric compounds. Materials containing glass flake have better abrasion resistance, increased heat distortion temperatures, greater dimensional stability, reduced creep, low warpage, higher flame retardancy, lower permeability, as well as good resistance to weathering and corrosion. J & JH Company (Stand number 11262; Hall D1 and D2) supplies spe-
NPE ciality colourants and additives. The company offering includes solvent dyes, phosphorescent pigments, marble pigments, granite pigments, photochromic pigments and thermal pigments. Nubiola (Stand number 13003; Hall El) will be showing its Nubiflow pigments that the company says offers improved dispersability in ultramarines. Nubiflow is processed to result in very fine ultramarine pigment with a narrow particle size distribution - all the particles are below 10 microns. The product is particularly suitable for the fibre producer where particle size distribution is important. In fibre production screens are positioned in front of the spinneret to eliminate oversized particles. Nubiflow passes through these screens without causing undue increases in pressure. High impact wollastonite grades for polyolefin applications are offered by Nyco (Stand number 12823; Hall D1 and D2). Nyglos 8 10972 and M 15 Wollastocoat 10042 are both fine diameter, high aspect ratio products improved to increase notched Izod impact strength by 20-30% compared with untreated wollastonite and competitive mineral reinfbrcements. These products were engineered to meet new requirements for impact performance in automotive applications, such as instrument panels and thin walled fascias.The new high impact grades also provide improved mar and scratch resistance and lower CLTE without loss in stiffness. Silberline Manufacturing Company (Stand number 13828; Hall El) will show its range of aluminium and other related effect pigments.
try, including extruders and pelletizers. Blenders, mixers and other auxiliary equipment will feature on Brabender Technologie's booth (Stand number 5986; Hall B1 and B2). B & P Process Equipment and Systems' (Stand number 7126; Hall B1 and B2) CT series compounders are versatile, rugged extruders, claims the company. The CT compounders offer flexibility and design features including high speed and high torque designs, a full selection of process elements and barrel designs, and elements that are compatible with the ZSK standards. The CT Series extruders range from the 25ram laboratory model to the 133mm high torque production compounders. Among the exhibits at Conair (Stand number 3449) is a portable blending unit, the GB221 AutoWeigh gravimetric blender and the XB440 extrusion blender that has adaptive control functions to increase extruder yield by up to 4%. There is also the Central Distribution System, a four hopper central drying and conveying system that incorporates several innovations. The Davis-Standard (Stand number 6107; Hall B1 and B2) display will
2000
include D-TEX twin screw compouding extruders that are built for durability and high processing speeds. An in-line compounding extruder arrangement with a 96.5mm D-TEX twin screw extruder will be shown. The company says that the versatility of the D-TEX makes it ideal for in-line compounding applications. Draiswerke Inc. (Stand number 14503; Hall El) will exhibit its high performance Gelimat ® Compounding System. The Drais Gelimat Compounder is an ultra high speed thermokinetic mixing, fluxing and compounding system for processing of both virgin and recycled polymers, as welt as highly loaded compounds and masterbatches. The company's latest development is the Gelimat Compounder G-HVA, which is a high speed, high energy density compounder. The machine has been specifically developed for difficult compounding, mixing and dispersing applications. Entek Extruders (Stand number 11564; Hall DI and D2) offers a range twin screw extrusion equipment from comprehensive turnkey extrusion systems to the smallest screw element. The company says that it includes the following features on all its extruders: dependable, mainte-
Compoundingequipment Acrison (Stand number 8566; Hall C1 and C2) is a leading supplier of metering, hoppering and blending equipment and related controls and control systems. The company says that its equipment is known for being rugged and durable, with low maintenance requirements Akron Extruders (Stand number 5440; Hall B 1 and B2) manufactures a line of heavy-duty single screw extruders. Berstorff (Stand number 2944; Hall A1 and A2) will be exhibiting its range of equipment for the compounding indusPlastics Additives & CompoundingJune2000
23
| NPE
2000
nance-friendly AC motors; on-board programmable logic controller; and an operator control panel with real time trending. Entek Extruders has recently opened a new $5.5 million building for its extrusion division. The new facility will enable customers to trial its materials on the company's range of twin screw extruders, which includes the E-Max. The Ultima Compounder TM will be unveiled at the show by Farrel Corporation (Stand number 6007; Hall B1 and B2). The company says that the newly developed two-stage plastics compounding machine offers the highest dispersive mixing capability of any compounder yet developed. The Ultima Compounder is the combination of a two stage continuous mixer and a single screw extruder on a unitized support frame. Primary applications are likely to be fibre grade dispersion of pigments, mixing of nanocomposites and the direct injection of plasticizers and liquid stabilizers in PVC. Additional uses include wood flour compounding, incorporation of high levels of inorganic fillers, polymer alloying and the processing of temperature-sensitive materials and rubberbased products. The Ultima Compounder provides extra mixing length and residence time, good mixing capabilities and an expanded polymer processing window. More versatile than its original continuous mixer, it now features variable operating L:D from 5/1 to 10/1 to meet the needs of more demanding applications. The Farrel ® CP-Series II TM Compact Processors for a broad range of polymer compounding have also been improved and undergone functional design simplifications for improved operator and maintenance access. A selection of pelletizers and other equipment will be on the stand of Gala Industries (Stand number 5380; Hall B1 and B2). The company produces underwater pelletizers that are suitable for pellet rates from 9-5500kg/h. Machinery on display include the SPAC-6 underwater pelletizer, SPAC-7 underwater pelletizer, LPU laboratory pelletizing system and the MB500 masterbatch pelletizing system. ICMA San Giorgio SpA (Stand number 6188; Hall B1 and B2) produces coPlastics Additives &
rotating twin screw extruders and complete extrusion lines for compounds, masterbatches and sheet direct compounding. Extruders range from 33175mm (speed from 150-1200rpm) with output from 20kg/h to 5 tonnes/h. New HT high torque extruders for increased output and special machines for reactive compounds and recycling of technopolymers are now available. On display on Krupp Werner & Pfleiderer's booth (Stand number 6140, 6150; Hall B1 and B2) will be the ZSK 58 MEGAcompounder dedicated to a wood fibre composite process; a ZSK 50 MEGA compounder focusing on colour masterbatch; and a ZSK 25 World Lab Extruder for research and development and small lot production. Feeders, vacuum loaders and related process control equipment are offered by K-Tron (Stand number 2114; Hall A1 and A2) to control the flow of bulk materials. Leistritz (Stand number 230; Hall A1 and A2) offers twin screw extruders and systems for compounding, reacting, devolatilizing and direct extrusion. Maguire Products (Stand number 7171) will introduce the WST 110 to its Weigh Scale Totalizer TM line of machines, which function in the same way as Maguire's gravimetric Weigh Scale Blenders using the same control software and provide the same high level of dosing precision. The new line of machines can meter pre-blended or single component materials directly into processing machines to control consumption and monitor throughput, but are small enough for mounting at the extruder throat. Merritt Davis Corporation (Stand number 6162; Hall B1 and B2) manufactures extruders and extrusion systems for reclaim, compounding, profile, blown film, wire & cable and sheet processing. Movacolor (Stand number 7318; Hall B 1 and B2) manufactures additive feeders and other auxiliary equipment. The company says that its equipment is capable of measuring quantities from 0.05g/h to 25kg/h. PTi/Processing Technologies (Stand number 8018; Hall C1 and C2) is a manufacturer of extrusion systems for applications in sheet, film, foam sheet,
CompoundingJune2000
24
co-extrusion, compounding, pipe, profile, fibre and reclaim. New on the stand of Rieter Automatik (Stand number 6562; Hall B1 and B2) is the PRIMO E range of strand pelletizers. This new range of dry cut pelletizers increases the company's product offering by providing solutions for laboratories and small batches of special compounds. The design of the pelletizer enables it to be adapted to suit a variety of system configurations within existing pelletizing operations, such as cooling troughs and sieving machines, while using standard layouts. The E-Type strand pelletizers are available in two sizes, with different input widths and the ability to process up to20 strands. The throughput of polyamide compounds can be up to 640kg/h, depending on the size of the system and the number of strands being used. The machine has a mobile base-frame to move the equipment and easy access to the cutting tools. Theysohn Extrusionstechnik (Stand number 13506; Hall El) will exhibit the whole Theysohn Torque Master Series. The company says that these represent the latest technology in parallel twin screw extrusion. Up to 50% increased maximum torque load of the gearbox improves the lifetime of the drive units to ensure trouble-free production over a long period of time. This makes the machines reliable and efficient, says the company. •