Plastics Engineering articles from April 2005

Plastics Engineering archives from April 2005

High performance for high-clarity polysulfone.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Udel P-1700 HC is a low-color grade of polysulfone described by Solvay Advanced Polymers as being nearly water white in color and approaching the clarity of polycarbonate. With its heat deflection temperature of 345[degrees]F (174[degrees]C),...

Cranking up line speeds for slit tape.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Commonly used UV stabilizers tend to increase water adhesion, causing higher water carry-over when film exits the quenching bath. This excessive carry-over can lead to problems downstream, notably film breakage. Thus, slit-film producers are...

Flame retardant for lead-free solder systems.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Great Lakes Chemical Corp. has announced that tests using its Firemaster CP-44HF di-bromostyrene flame retardant in electronic applications show superior results in lead-free solder systems to be introduced by the industry in 2006. The European...

Vegetable oil-based plasticizer.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Grindsted Soft-N-Safe plasticizer is made from acetic acid and castor oil, which is extracted from the seeds of the castor oil plant grown in India, Brazil, and China, and used as an ingredient in cosmetics and foods such as chocolate and...

Stereolithography incorporates nanoparticle technology.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Stereolithography (SL) permits the rapid creation of 3D pieces utilizing a computer-controlled laser that polymerizes light-sensitive resins. In the extremely precise process, an object is constructed in a series of additive layers, providing...

Lower levels of volatiles.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A family of silicone surfactants for stabilizing MDI and MDI-TDI (methylene diisocyanate/toluene diisocyanate) flexible molded foam used by the automotive seating industry is based on a molecular design that can reduce emissions from finished...

Organic-based stabilizers.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Lead, BaZn (barium/zinc), and CaZn (calcium/zinc) stabilizers have traditionally been used in the manufacture of PVC pipe. However, because of concerns for human health and adverse effects on the environment, manufacturers have sought...

Long-lasting tier sheets.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... In the bottling industry, tier sheets are placed between layers of palletized loads to provide stability. Poly Coated Tier Sheets from Tyco Plastics & Adhesives feature a polyethylene coating on both sides, making them exceptionally...

Clarity for molded products.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Lyondell Chemical Co.'s Equistar Chemicals business has introduced two resins--PP30HF01 and PP33HF04 polypropylene-ethylene copolymers--that feature Milliken Chemical's Millad 3988 clarifying agent. Designed for use in molding and extrusion...

Frosty look.(MATERIALS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Pentaprint high-shrink PETG film with a frosty look for full-body shrink-sleeve label applications is an extension of Klockner Pentaplast's Pentaprint product line of shrink-label films. The film is engineered to provide a frosty appearance on...

Topology optimization can reduce part weight and cut cost.
April 1, 2005... Topology optimization software provides important benefits to engineers and product designers. Its defining characteristic is the ability to reduce part weight by determining the optimum distribution or topology of material in a structure...

Welding gets lean & clean: equipment provides greater flexibility and smaller automation setups.
April 1, 2005... Obviously, in terms of visual impact, automated plastics-welding operations will never resemble the spark-showered scenes of robotic metal welding. But given the varieties of automation available and the efficiency of the processes, plastics...

Thermoforming: new machinery, improved materials and tooling produce top-quality parts.(Cover Story)
April 1, 2005... New developments in thermoforming machinery, part-handling automation, and thermoplastic materials are helping thermoformers expand into new markets and make gains on steel and other plastics processes. The quality of thermoformed parts has...

Robotic Production Technology.(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Robotic Production Technology (RPT) introduces the RoboTrim RT- 1000 trimming system for plastics. This pre-engineered system is designed for Thermoformers that router trim and de-flash a wide variety of parts. It incorporates a 6 axis robot...

SPE's Global Plastics Environmental Conference 2005.(Creating Sustainability for the Environment)
April 1, 2005... Sponsored by the Plastics Environmental Division of SPE, the Global Plastics Environmental Conference (GPEC) convened February 23-25 at Atlanta's Gateway Sheraton. The enormous contributions of the plastics industry to the world economy--and...

Horizons: golf balls--from cover to core.
April 1, 2005... Have you noticed the preoccupation of many in the plastics industry with golf? Golf outings are an integral part of SPE Sections' activities, and at conferences you will hear as many conversations about golf as about plastics. And as you'll...

Geodesic structures take shape with copolyester sheet.(PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... "Origami-style," flat-pack, geodesic buildings made from Eastman Chemical Co.'s Spectar copolyester sheet were erected to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 100% Design Exhibition in the U.K., Eastman reports. These semi-permanent...

Rotomolded bulk container maximizes transport space.(PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... New from Meese Orbitron Dunne Co. (MOD), the rotationally molded P-291 Ship Shape bulk container features a squared 44 x 44-inch x 33-inch-high design with a 32-[ft.sup.3] capacity that maximizes space in standard 55-ft-long boxcars. Reusable...

Corn-based plastic packaging.(PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS)
April 1, 2005... Newman's Own Organics (Aptos, Calif.), with FoodSource Organics (Monterey, Calif.), is using NatureWorks PEA packaging in the form of 5-oz tubs for several "certified organic" salads, including the Spring Mix, Spinach, Herb Salad, and Sweet...

PC housing for plasma TV.(PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The effect of the 42-inch screen of Philips new plasma FlatTV is heightened by a novel lighting concept called Ambilight, in which background lighting built into the rear of the TV is projected onto the wall behind the set. This feature is made...

Split-opening rear hatch is all-thermoplastic.(PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The new Renault Modus features a split-opening rear hatch developed by Plastic Omnium. Its twin-gate design allows either the entire hatch or just the lower half to be opened. The gate opens to an angle of 52[degrees], providing access to the...

Vinyl fencing enhances neighborhood's traditional look.(PRODUCTS & APPLICATIONS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... For vinyl privacy fencing to complement the traditional look of its new Lamplight neighborhoods in Las Vegas, Carina Homes turned to Kroy Building Products. The Kroy vinyl fencing allows homeowners to enjoy the detailed aesthetics of a millwork...

Robot ups performance.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The most recent addition to the Wittmann line of servo-robots is the W711 CS3, which the company says is suited for all injection molding automation applications and offers a payload of 11 lbs (5 kg). Model W711 robots are equipped with three...

Sensing a presence.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Checking for the presence or absence of multiple items--such as the cap and label on a bottle, all the lugs on a truck wheel, or all the tablets in a blister pack is one of the most common tasks in manufacturing. To ensure product quality in...

Blender expands capabilities.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Further innovation is expanding the applicability of the Maguire Weigh Scale Blender (WSB), according to Maguire Products. The improved WSB, a gravimetric raw-material dosing system for plastics, makes it possible, for example, to incorporate...

Monitoring fluids with particulates.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Signet 2551 Magmeter from George Fischer, Inc., is an insertion-style electro-magnetic flow sensor especially intended for conductive fluid applications that contain particles, solids, and fibers. Designed with no moving parts to wear or...

Linear robots.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)
April 1, 2005... Linear robots equipped with servo drives on all three main axes offer high speed operation and simple graphical programming. Their advanced design and integrated control cabinet provide high performance at affordable prices. Wittmann,...

High-speed microtooling.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Datron Dynamics Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Datron Dynamics has introduced a compact version of its Raptor Class machining centers. The miniRaptor (51- x 51-inch footprint) utilizes the same technology as other members of the Raptor Class, but in a smaller size that offers entry-level...

Reading high temps.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Hart Scientific's Model 5624 is a 10-ohm platinum resistance thermometer (PRT) that can read temperatures as high as 1000[degrees]C. The sensor design, which allows for PRT performance at very high temperatures, makes it a suitable standard for...

Tools for creating models.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Algor, Inc.'s V16.1 software features parametric, structured meshing tools for 2-D and 3-D FEA (finite element analysis) model creation and expanded CFD (computational fluid dynamics) capabilities including fan effects; multiple, independent...

Coextrusion keeps a low profile.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The most recent low-profile die coextrusion technology from Davis-Standard is described as being engineered to offer tighter profile tolerances, higher quality and productivity, and versatility to run many resins and new film grades. The...

In-mold labeling.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)
April 1, 2005... Automated Assemblies Corp. has introduced U.S.-manufactured, automated IML (in-mold labeling) work cells that integrate the molding and labeling function into one seamless manufacturing step. Decorating with perfectly aligned decals,...

Double-deck dryer.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... A double-deck, circular, vibratory fluid-bed dryer/cooler from Kason Corp. is reported to nearly double processing capacity and efficiency, with little or no increase in operating cost or floor space. The company says that the addition of an...

Combined technologies produce high-gloss parts.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Ono Sangyo Co., Ltd.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... By combining Trexel's MuCell microcellular molding process with Ono Sangyo's Rapid Heat Cycle Molding (RHCM) technology, the companies report, opportunities for production of high-quality products and the implementation of new low-cost product...

Hot-runner control for lots of zones.(MACHINERY & PROCESSING)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Husky's LEC line of temperature controllers provides full-featured hot-runner temperature control for smaller hot-runner system applications. The LEC is offered with 2-zone, 6-zone, and 12-zone enclosures. The LEC features a modular design for...

U.S. to see growing demand for flame retardants.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... U.S. demand for flame retardants will increase by 6.5%/yr to reach $1.3 billion in 2008, says a new study from the Freedonia Group of Cleveland. Volume will grow by 3.1%, reaching more than 1 billion lbs. Largely fueling this demand, says Flame...

Robotics Association reports 2004 statistics.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... North American manufacturing companies purchased 14,838 robots valued at nearly $1 billion in 2004, according to statistics from Robotics Industries Association (RIA). This represents a 20% rise in units over 2003 and the industry's second-best...

Europe OKs polymer scaffolding for bone and cartilage repair.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... OsteoBiologics, Inc. (OBI), of San Antonio, Texas, reports that it has received CE Mark Approval for its PolyGraft family of products for repair of bone and cartilage defects caused by either trauma or surgery. The CE Mark enables the company...

RTP launches Global Color Division.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Headquartered in Winona, Minn., RTP Company has launched a Global Color Division to provide both precolored resins and masterbatches. The new division produces colors in more than 60 polymers for both injection molding and sheet extrusion,...

Crosslinking process promises to transform "standard" resins to medical-grade.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(E-Beam Services Inc.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... E-Beam Services, Inc., of Cranbury, N.J., offers a nonchemical crosslinking process that "transforms ordinary molded plastics formed from standard resins (such as polyethylene) into medical-grade products that exhibit high performance thermoset...

Thermoplastic compounds in Asia: China leads demand growth.(INDUSTRY NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI) (Bristol, U.K.) has released a new survey of 641 thermoplastics compounders in Asia. The survey reports that demand for compounds in Asia was 7.8 million tonnes for 2004; the market has been averaging...

Conwed, a Minneapolis-based provider of netting products, has announced its acquisition of NSW, LLC.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Conwed, a Minneapolis-based provider of netting products, has announced its acquisition of NSW, LLC. Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., NSW manufactures extruded plastic diamond mesh.

As part of its acquisition of Acadia Elastomers, Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland has acquired subsidiary Webster Plastics, a Fairport, N.Y.-based custom plastics injection molder.(Acquisitions)
April 1, 2005... As part of its acquisition of Acadia Elastomers, Parker Hannifin Corp. of Cleveland has acquired subsidiary Webster Plastics, a Fairport, N.Y.-based custom plastics injection molder. Webster Plastics will be integrated into the Chomerics...

New York City-based investment firm W.P. Carey & Co. LLC reports that it has completed a sale-leaseback transaction to acquire a warehouse and manufacturing facility from precision plastic products injection molder Precise Technology for $16.4 million.(Acquisitions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... New York City-based investment firm W.P. Carey & Co. LLC reports that it has completed a sale-leaseback transaction to acquire a warehouse and manufacturing facility from precision plastic products injection molder Precise Technology for $16.4...

DuPont.(Award)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... At the January 2005 Innovation Design Night sponsored by the China State Intellectual Property Office and China Central Television, DuPont's biologically derived Sorona polymer was recognized as "Most Visionary Innovation" in the sports and...

Headquartered in Middlebury, Conn., Crompton Corp. announces that it has signed a three-year agreement with "e-distributor" ChemPoint.com (Bellevue, Wash.).(Distributors)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Headquartered in Middlebury, Conn., Crompton Corp. announces that it has signed a three-year agreement with "e-distributor" ChemPoint.com (Bellevue, Wash.) to distribute Crompton products to specialty chemical customers in North America.

Based in McHenry, Ill., GLS Corp. has expanded its relationship with Northbrook, Ill.-based resin distributor M. Holland Co. Sister company M. Holland Canada Co., based in Whitby, Ontario, will now sell and provide technical support for the entire line of GLS TPEs (thermoplastic elastomers) throughout Canada.(Distributors)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Based in McHenry, Ill., GLS Corp. has expanded its relationship with Northbrook, Ill.-based resin distributor M. Holland Co. Sister company M. Holland Canada Co., based in Whitby, Ontario, will now sell and provide technical support for the...

Based in Spartanburg, S.C., Synalloy Corp. announces that it has completed the sale of its Blackman Uhler, LLC, dye business to Greenville Colorants, LLC, for approximately $4.95 million.(Divestiture)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Based in Spartanburg, S.C., Synalloy Corp. announces that it has completed the sale of its Blackman Uhler, LLC, dye business to Greenville Colorants, LLC, for approximately $4.95 million. As a result of the divestiture, approximately 25...

NuSil Technology.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Headquartered near Santa Barbara, Calif., silicone-compound formulator NuSil Technology has announced new packaging capabilities, including size customization and submicron filtration. The new capabilities follow the company's expansion into a...

IQMS of Paso Robles, Calif., developer of EnterpriseIQ ERP software, has formed a new subsidiary in Asia.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... IQMS of Paso Robles, Calif., developer of EnterpriseIQ ERP software, has formed a new subsidiary in Asia. IQMS Asia's first office has opened in Kaohsiung, Taiwan; a second was expected to open in Shanghai, China, in March; and a third is...

Nova Chemicals Corp.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Nova Chemicals Corp. (Moon Township, Pa.) has announced plans for a series of expansions to increase its manufacturing capacity for Arcel moldable foam resin to 100 million lbs/yr by the end of 2006. Sales of the packaging material have tripled...

To satisfy demand for Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), reports ExxonMobil Chemical, it will add a production line at its Pensacola, Fla., manufacturing site, to be operational by mid-2006.(Expansions)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... To satisfy demand for Santoprene thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV), reports ExxonMobil Chemical, it will add a production line at its Pensacola, Fla., manufacturing site, to be operational by mid-2006. Santoprene TPV is a recyclable elastomer...

RJG, Inc., of Traverse City, Mich., and Plastechnic Marketing Ltd. of Singapore have formed RJG Plastechnic Asia Pte Ltd., a joint-venture company based in Singapore.(Joint Venture)
April 1, 2005... RJG, Inc., of Traverse City, Mich., and Plastechnic Marketing Ltd. of Singapore have formed RJG Plastechnic Asia Pte Ltd., a joint-venture company based in Singapore. The company is responsible for sales, distribution, and support of all RJG...

Owens Corning, based in Toledo, Ohio, has announced a licensing agreement under which RheTech, Inc., of Whitmore Lake, Mich., will manufacture and sell a proprietary Owens Corning long-fiber glass/polyolefin thermoplastic (LFTP) in North America.(License)(Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Owens Corning, based in Toledo, Ohio, has announced a licensing agreement under which RheTech, Inc., of Whitmore Lake, Mich., will manufacture and sell a proprietary Owens Coming long-fiber glass/polyolefin thermoplastic (LFTP) in North...

Rapra.(Literature)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Plastic Additives, a new market report from U.K. firm Rapra, focuses on important issues in the European market, commenting on relevant market trends in North America and Asia. Four major market sectors for plastics additives are examined:...

Envirokare Tech Inc. (Orlando, Fla.) has announced a definitive agreement whereby Thermoplastic Composite Design will merge with Envirokare's wholly owned subsidiary, Envirokare Composites Corp. (ECC).(Merger)
April 1, 2005... Envirokare Tech Inc. (Orlando, Fla.) has announced a definitive agreement whereby Thermoplastic Composite Design will merge with Envirokare's wholly owned subsidiary, Envirokare Composites Corp. (ECC). Envirokare has also announced a 50:50...

SinoTrading.us.(New Companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SinoTrading.us is a U.S.-based outsourcing/import firm that links businesses, inventors, and others to manufacturing services in China. Orders of all sizes--even as small as 2000 pieces--are accepted. The company's website is...

By integrating the businesses of Dayton Technologies LLC and Vinyl Building Products LLC, PVC manufacturer Deceuninck NV of Hooglede-Gits, Belgium, has formed Deceuninck North America.(New Companies)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... By integrating the businesses of Dayton Technologies LLC and Vinyl Building Products LLC, PVC manufacturer Deceuninck NV of Hooglede-Gits, Belgium, has formed Deceuninck North America. The new company is headquartered in Monroe, Ohio, and has...

Methods Machine Tools.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Methods Machine Tools, based in Sudbury, Mass., has opened a 36,000-[ft.sup.2] technical center in Wixom, Michigan. The facility will house a showroom for the company's lines of machining centers, turning centers, EDM machines, and robotics.

GE.(New Facilities)(GE Plastics)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... GE (Pittsfield, Mass.) has inaugurated a second Lexan resin plant in Cartagena, Murcia, Spain, marking the third phase of the GE Advanced Materials' plastics complex and increasing the number of employees there to more than 600. The new plant...

The Dow Chemical Company.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... To meet the needs of its isopropanolamines and gas-treating customers, reports The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich.), it is building an integrated Specialty Alkanolamines facility in Plaquemine, La., expected to come on-line in early 2007....

BASF.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) has announced that it will build a new compounding plant at its existing Pudong site in Shanghai, China. With a planned capacity of about 45,000 MT/yr, the plant is scheduled to come on-line by the end of 2006. In...

BASF Coatings de Mexico S.A. de C.V.(New Facilities)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BASF Coatings de Mexico S.A. de C.V. has opened a new manufacturing plant in Monterrey, Mexico.

Frimo Inc.(New Location)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Frimo, Inc., a provider of automotive interior foam tooling and production systems and prototyping, has moved to a new, 60,000-[ft.sup.2] facility in Wixom, Mich.

Cargill Dow LLC, inventor of the corn-based plastic resins marketed under the NatureWorks PLA and Ingeo fiber brand names, is now known as NatureWorks LLC.(New Name)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Cargill Dow LLC, inventor of the corn-based plastic resins marketed under the NatureWorks PLA and Ingeo fiber brand names, is now known as NatureWorks LLC. The name change follows Cargill's acquisition of The Dow Chemical Company's interest in...

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.(Price Changes)(epoxy curing agents )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., based in Lehigh Valley, Pa., has announced price increases (effective Feb. 15, 2005) for select epoxy curing agents sold in North America. Increases are as follows: aliphatic amines--$0.07/lb;...

BASF AG.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... BASF AG (Ludwigshafen, Germany) has raised the prices of its styrene polymers Terluran (ABS) and Luran (SAN) by EUR 200/MT in Europe, effective March 1, 2005.

BASF Corp.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Effective March 15, 2005, New Jersey-based BASF Corp., the North American affiliate of BASF AG, has announced the following PBT and PET price increases in the United States and Canada: Ultradur polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resins--$0.07/lb;...

The Dow Chemical Company.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich., has announced price increases (effective March 1, 2005) for the following polyurethane products in the United States and Canada: all pure and polymeric MDI products sold into all polyurethane market...

Solvay Chemicals, Inc.(Price Changes)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Headquartered in Houston, Solvay Chemicals, Inc., announces a 5% increase in the list and off-list pricing of its CAPA Caprolactone product line (monomer, polyols, and thermoplastics), effective April 1 or as allowed by contracts and...

Pacor, Inc.(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Pacor, Inc., a Bordentown, N.J.-based fabricator and distributor of insulation products for the OEM industry, has announced that it will offer plastic injection molding services in addition to current products and processes. The company notes...

The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) has announced its approval of Biosphere Industries' (Carpinteria, Calif.) starch-based packaging technology, designated PPM100, which reportedly has yielded a material with properties comparable to those of polystyrene foam that can be used for food-service and general packaging applications.(Other Briefs)(Biodegradable Products Institute)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) has announced its approval of Biosphere Industries' (Carpinteria, Calif.) starch-based packaging technology, designated PPM100, which reportedly has yielded a material with properties comparable to...

Fujitsu Limited.(Other Briefs)(Legal)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... In acknowledgment of the Kyoto Protocol, which went into effect throughout much of the industrialized world Feb. 16, 2005, Fujitsu Limited of Tokyo has announced its shift from the use of polystyrene to corn-derived polylactic acid for the...

Dow Corning.(Silicone Technology )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Dow Corning (Midland, Mich.) reports that it is using silicone technology to create "intelligent" fabrics, in which the fibers are infused with performance-enhancing characteristics. Benefits can range from fabric elasticity, breathability, and...

Exactech, Inc.(Other Briefs)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Exactech, Inc., of Gainesville, Fla., has announced the successful initial implantation of Optecure in a recent spinal fusion surgery. Designed and manufactured by Exactech, Optecure is demineralized bone matrix (DBM) in a synthetic,...

Headquartered in Warsaw, Ind., Zimmer Holdings, Inc., has announced a letter of intent for a comprehensive agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital and the Cambridge Polymer Group to license technology to develop and commercialize advanced orthopedic polyethylene and hydrogel materials.(Other Briefs)(Cambridge Polymer Group )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Headquartered in Warsaw, Ind., Zimmer Holdings, Inc., has announced a letter of intent for a comprehensive agreement with Massachusetts General Hospital and the Cambridge Polymer Group to license technology to develop and commercialize advanced...

SPI speaks out on energy.(SPI NEWS)(Society of the Plastics Industry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... In a recent article in Leadership for Manufacturers magazine, Gene Steadman of Celanese/Ticona, vice chair of the SPI Strategic Management Group for Public Policy and Chair of its Energy Task Force, joined other manufacturing leaders in calling...

SPI joins trade mission to China; will exhibit at ChinaPlas in June.(SPI NEWS)(Society of the Plastics Industry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SPI's Global Business Council (GBC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) are sponsoring a U.S. plastics trade mission to Shanghai and Guangzhou, China, to be held June 15-23, 2005. The mission is designed to assist companies with their...

SPI member companies garner workforce grants.(SPI NEWS)(Society of the Plastics Industry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Three SPI members--Autegra, Precise Technology, and United Southern Industries--have received training grants from their respective local Workforce Investment Boards (WIBs) that collectively total $118,000. The monies, provided by the Pendleton...

SPI: "regulatory process requires sound Science".(Society of the Plastics Industry)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... In a recent meeting on Capitol Hill, former SPI president Donald Duncan spoke with the staff director and counsel of the Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee of the House Committee on Government Reform, providing the plastics industry's point of...

Goal: zero pellet loss.(SPI NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Spilled pellets make their way into local waters and eventually end up in our oceans, where they create both a litter problem and a deadly threat to sea life. As responsible stewards of the environment, the plastics industry is addressing this...

SPI updates county data sheets.(SPI NEWS)(Society of the Plastic Industry )(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... Using the latest U.S. government county-level data, from 2002, SPI has updated its Size and Impact of the Plastics Industry on the U.S. Economy study (SPI catalog number AB-155). The updated reports show the number of establishments, number of...

SPI takes industry's case to Capitol Hill.(SPI NEWS)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SPI representatives, including the organization's incoming and outgoing presidents, William Carteaux and Donald Duncan, met with key members of Congress early this year, offering support to secure passage of initiatives important to the U.S....

Stojka to chair NPE 2006.(SPI NEWS)(Tim Stojka)(National Plastics Exposition)(Brief Article)
April 1, 2005... SPI has named Tim Stojka, CEO of Fast Heat, Inc., chairman of the NPE 2006 executive committee, which will work with the association to plan and prepare for NPE 2006: The International Plastics Showcase. Sponsored by SPI, the triennial...