'Life-saving' medical applications get priority in elastomer force majeure
Arkema feels confident it can continue to meet demands to medical customers "for life-saving applications" of Pebax elastomer although customers in other markets, such as...
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KrausMaffei expands dual-platen machine range
Published: May 16th, 2012
KraussMaffei has extended its hydro-mechanical dual-platen injection molding machines in the medium clamping force range with the world premiere of its GX series. Launched at a customer event at its headquarter in Munich, the GX Series features a redesigned locking device and guide shoe, among other new features.
Thermoformed plastics market projected to grow at 4% CAGR through 2017; packaging leads the way
Published: May 16th, 2012
The global market for thermoformed plastic products is expected to increase from 7.0 billion lb in 2012 to 8.5 billion lb by 2017, a 4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR).
In comparison, the global market for thermoformed plastic products was 6.8 billion lb in 2011, according to the study from ReportsnReports, an online market research company.
Reinforced sheets target lightweight vehicle construction
Published: May 15th, 2012
Large-surface applications in lightweight vehicle construction are targets for carbon- and glass-fiber composite sheets supplied by Lamilux Heinrich Strunz GmbH (Rehau, Germany).
Polypropylene intake manifolds solve multiple challenges, acoustically superior to polyamide
Published: May 15th, 2012
With intake manifolds made of polypropylene (PP), Röchling Automotive (Mannheim, Germany) says it has set new benchmarks in terms of cost, weight, and acoustics. These three criteria have been improved due to the lower density of polypropylene (PP) compared with polyamide (PA), the material currently most widely used for intake manifolds.
Japanese compounder boosts auto PP grade presence in Americas
Published: May 15th, 2012
A leading Japanese supplier of polypropylene (PP) compounds for automotive applications is adding 118,000 tonnes/year of compounding capacity in the Americas and China to tap demand from growing auto production in these localities.
Currier Plastics expands manufacturing
Published: May 15th, 2012
Currier Plastics Inc., a custom injection molder and blowmolder in Auburn, NY, received kudos from the governor of the state of New York, and tax credits and grants for its expansion plans. Currier recently added three Automa extrusion blowmolding machines—two AT400D and one AT700D—machines that feature in-process trimming capabilities (dome, moil, tail, and handle punch-out) increasing the company’s overall blowmolding capacity.
TPE resin prices, May 5-11: PE, PP slip another $0.02/lb; May contracts to be “significantly” lower
Published: May 15th, 2012
Average spot polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) prices slid $0.02/lb last week, and contracts for both materials will be marked significantly lower in May. Spot-trading platform, The Plastics Exchange (TPE), reported that resin trading continued to improve last week, as lower prices worked their way downstream, spurring some purchases.
A deep issue: Plastic waste in Pacific Ocean increases 100-fold
Published: May 15th, 2012
It's called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A swirling vortex of plastic bags, bottles and other debris, a landfill some say is twice the size of Texas.
Arkema declares force majeure on Pebax elastomers
Published: May 15th, 2012
Arkema has declared a force majeure for Pebax polymers as a result of the fatal explosion at an Evonik plant in Marl, Germany on March 31.
This plant was a major production source for CDT (cyclododecatriene) a chemical required in the production of Pebax, which is a thermoplastic elastomer made up of block copolymers consisting of a sequence of polyamide and polyether segments.
Low-emission acetal finds favor in steering column
Published: May 15th, 2012
Buffer-stops made of Delrin 100PE grade low-emission acetal resin from DuPont (Wilmington, DE) cushion the impact when mechanically adjustable steering columns from ThyssenKrupp Presta (Eschen, Liechtenstein) reach full horizontal adjustment.








