K Trade Show

It's a big promise but the supplier says it has customers' firsthand experience to back it up. This new and improved purging agent combines non-melting but softening thermoplastic scrubbing granules with an expanding proprietary additive. This combination removes color and contamination without leaving behind residue due to the combined power of the thermoplastic's scrubbing action and the expansion of the additive.

Sabic Innovative Plastics (Pittsfield, MA) is playing a key role in the conversion of incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) as global requirements for energy-efficient alternatives continue to tighten. The most recent example is the company's Lexan FXD polycarbonate (PC) resin employed by Osram to mold its new line of retrofit CFL candle bulbs.

The K show approaches, fiscal years are closing, and budgets are being prepared; as a result of all of these—plus recovery from the recession—capital investment is on many minds. We have asked experts from some of the industry's leading suppliers to offer their tips on how processors should consider as they buy new or upgrade current equipment. Thanks to Michael Phillips, director of marketing and sales support at Mold-Masters Ltd., for this article.

The W873 robot from Wittmann Robot Systeme (Groß-Umstadt, Germany) boasts numerous improvements over its predecessor, the W773, including a maximum payload of 125 kg with a maximum vertical stroke of 3000 mm. The robot is also available in a configuration with 3600-mm vertical stroke and 60-kg carrying weight.

Most free markets are driven by supply and demand. The equation is simple: If a product is in short supply, you pay more for it. Sure processors may have the liberty of switching from LDPE to LLDPE if pricing is more favorable for the latter but generally speaking, buoyant demand and/or restricted supply translates to higher prices. Case in point—Of late, I have seen many reports in the mainstream press reporting price hikes for a variety of staple foods, including wheat, sugar, coffee, and soy beans. These are being brought about by unusual climatic conditions the world over.

It may sound to good to be true, but Italian auxiliary maker Moretto SpA (Massanzago, Italy) is offering its fully automatic high-volume modular Eureka drying systems, combining the new X Max dryer, the Flowmatik controller, and the new OTX hopper at no up-front cost to the processor. Visitors to the upcoming K Show can learn more at Stand 11/H57.

Processors of multilayer blown film know it is critical to keep precise control of the thickness of the various layers of a film's structure, especially the costly barrier-material layers. A new measuring system is claimed to enable processors to measure these layers during processing, at output rates up to 450 m/min. 

Major environmental themes, from bioplastics to nonbrominated flame retardants, will be front and center in this year's giant  polymers show—K 2010.

They will benefit from a trip to this fall's K show, that is, with exhibitors in the stretch blowmolding space already giving word of developments sure to improve even the most high-end processing facility.

The past few months have seen MPW’s editors attending a slew of pre-K press events organized by exhibitors from around the globe and throughout the industry’s value chain. It’s been a great ride.

Business is up. Innovation is trump. China most definitely has the attention of most of the industry’s leading suppliers, though they make sure you know they’re not neglecting other areas—but boy, is China growing quickly.