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Exhibitors in the 'Startup Garage' will showcase innovative polymer technologyExhibitors in the 'Startup Garage' will showcase innovative polymer technology

January 12, 2015

3 Min Read
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The Startup Garage is a program developed by SPI in partnership with the new-venture tracking firm Startup.Directory to provide startups with prominently located exhibit stations at the show, which will take place during NPE2015. The plan originally called for a limited number of startups to be selected by show management and Startup.Directory, but with 12 startups selected and additional demand from the marketplace, SPI says it will expand the Startup Garage space and accept more applications

Companies selected thus far will highlight innovations in bioplastics, recycling, 3D printing, polymerization, resin processing, and antimicrobial polymers. Three of the startups report developments in the burgeoning field of graphenes—two-dimensional carbon-atom nanostructures that can be used for formulating plastics composites with dramatically enhanced properties.

“The response to our call for applicants has been met with an enthusiastic response by new companies doing exciting things at the forefront of polymer technology,” said Brad Williams, SPI’s director of trade show sales and marketing. “While some of these startups propose new ways to address pressing issues involving renewable resources and waste reduction, others offer enhancements of plastics manufacture and product performance. The quality of the exhibitors so far has led us to extend the call for more.”

More information on the NPE2015 Startup Garage is available at www.npe.org/startup-garage-npe2015, or you may contact Gerard Eldering of Startup.Directory at [email protected]. The startup companies thus far accepted for exhibiting in the Startup Garage are:

? Aguas Pristinas S.A. Patented zero-waste beverage container and packaging system, with products designed to be recovered for re-use in other forms. One example is roofing products derived from bottles. [Web address not yet available]

? Biobent Polymers. “Bio-composite” polymers with up to 40% renewable content from soy or other renewable agricultural products. www.biobent.com.

? cycleWood Solutions Inc. Compostable and sustainable resins produced from lignin in tree byproducts generated during papermaking. LDPE-like film grades are 100% compostable. Injection molding grades are available in either compostable or sustainable (blended with polyolefins) versions. www.cycleWood.com.

? Formlabs, Inc. 3D printing systems for engineers, designers, and artists. One system uses stereolithography to produce high-resolution prototypes. The company also develops materials for 3D printing and 3D-printing software. www.formlabs.com.

? Garmor Inc. Graphene priced for high-volume plastics applications. The company also has developed methods for incorporating graphene into plastics and shares this information with customers. www.garmortech.com.

? Graphenics. Engineering services and materials based on a patented process to produce graphene and incorporate it into plastic with minimal disruption of plastics processes and minimal darkening of the composite. www.plusgraphene.com.

? iQLP LLC. Development of polymer materials and manufacturing processes for polymer suppliers, converters, and end users. Solutions highlighted at NPE2015 will include semiconductor packaging, film and laminate extrusion, and structural polymers. www.iqlp.net.

? Plastic EQ Corp. Web marketplace where companies post offers of and requests for recycled plastics online. The company integrates the full sales cycle, including paperwork, payment / collection, freight management, credit check, etc. www.plastic-eq.com.

? Productfast Automation. Technology for monitoring a manufacturing operation that replaces the Andon light system with wireless audio and visual effects. www.productfast.com.

? Smart E2 Solutions, LLC. System for producing fuel products from non-recyclable plastics. About a gallon of fuel is produced from 8 to 10 lb. of un-washed, un-sorted waste plastic at a cost of less than $1. www.se2sol.com.

? TiFiber Inc. Anti-microbial polymers that exhibit broad-spectrum activity against bacterial species, including drug-resistant strains such as MRSA. Among potential applications are medical devices and disposables, synthetic textiles, and consumer goods. www.tifiber.com.

? Zzyzx Polymers. New “mechanochemical” process for compatabilizing, encapsulating, and fully dispersing materials into plastics, with a pilot plant established in Pennsylvania. To be highlighted at NPE2015: graphene conductive polypropylene; high-impact polyethylene; and a polycarbonate-like PP. www.zpolymers.com.

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