Nova Chemical has announced a range of new caps and closures equipment purchases and lab upgrades as part of its transformation of its Center for Performance Applications in Calgary. A new lab-scale injection molding unit is now fully commissioned and in operation. The company's Sumitomo injection molding machine and custom-built Z Molds carbonated soft drink cap mold offer the capability to manufacture commercial-grade closures. Caps made on the new molder are tested in Nova Chemicals' newly renovated onsite lab, using a suite "in-use performance" equipment. Nova claims that this is a critical advantage that allows it and its customers to evaluate polyethylene closure performance under real-world conditions.

"These investments help us improve polyethylene closure performance, develop new resins, and facilitate the conversion to one-piece polyethylene closures" said Alan Schrob, caps and closures market manager for the polyethylene business. "Broadly speaking, they are a key component of our strategy to deliver more value to our customers and the caps and closures market overall."

The caps and closures investments add to Nova Chemicals' polyethylene capabilities, which include a wide range of R&D equipment and facility assets, manufacturing and dedicated teams of market-specific experts. 

Nova Chemicals will be highlighting the caps and closures investments during the Plastics Caps & Closures conference September 10 - 12, Rosemont, IL.