Plastics Engineering articles from May 2009

Plastics Engineering archives from May 2009

The real value of innovation.(From SPE)
May 1, 2009... We have all learned some painful lessons over the past few months on the question of sustainable wealth creation. Companies, institutions, and individuals around the world have watched their wealth based on real estate, stocks, and other...

Coating alternatives for plastics: optical coatings and VOC-free technologies are becoming clearer options.(NORTH AMERICA)(volatile organic compounds)
May 1, 2009... Plastics often must demonstrate their value more at the surface of a part, rather than just with their bulk physical properties. But given the surface-quality limitations of raw molded plastics, some parts simply must be coated to meet...

Recycling electronic waste.(WORLDWIDE)
May 1, 2009... Waste from the electronics industry; "e-waste," is creasing at an alarming rate. The industrialized countries of the world are beginning to dress the problem, as e-waste is inundating solid-waste-disposal facilities, which are inadequately...

Joining plastics: advanced adhesives and welding technologies produce strong bonds.(NORTH AMERICA)
May 1, 2009... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Adhesive and solvent bonding, mechanical fastening, and a variety of welding techniques are used to join plastic parts and subcomponents that are too large or too complex to be produced as single assemblies. Adhesive...

11 Companies receive GPEC[R] 2009 Environmental Awards.(Global Plastics Environmental Conference)(Awards list)
May 1, 2009... At GPEC 2009, the Global Plastics Environmental Conference sponsored by the Plastics Environmental Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), 11 companies were honored with Environmental Stewardship Awards. The awards reflected the...

NPE2009 to offer solutions for today's economic problems.(NORTH AMERICA: NPE2009)
May 1, 2009... Only a month remains before NPE2009, the largest concentration of exhibits, conferences, and special programs ever offered to the global plastics industry under one roof. Though the event will take place in the midst of the worst economic...

American Chemistry Council.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... The Chemical Sector Cyber Security Program of the American Chemistry Council (Arlington, Virginia USA) has added to its suite of cyber security resources with the release of five guidance documents and two white papers. The ACC says that these...

In late February, the International Petroleum Investment Company (Abu Dhabi) and NOVA Chemicals Corporation (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) announced that they entered into an agreement under which IPIC would acquire all of Nova Chemicals' outstanding common shares for a cash consideration of US$6.00 per share.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(contract)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... In late February, the International Petroleum Investment Company (Abu Dhabi) and NOVA Chemicals Corporation (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) announced that they entered into an agreement under which IPIC would acquire all of Nova Chemicals'...

The Canadian Province of Ontario is investing $1.5 million in Mitchell Plastics, supporting the company's investment of $10 million.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... The Canadian Province of Ontario is investing $1.5 million in Mitchell Plastics, supporting the company's investment of $10 million. The company reports that this will help create 32 new jobs and retain 215 jobs at their facility in Kitchener,...

Graham Packaging Company, L.P.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Graham Packaging Company; L.P., of York, Pennsylvania USA, reports it has unveiled a panel-free line of hotfill, wide-mouth jars. The new jars are smooth-sided, without noticeable vacuum panels, so labels can be easily applied and the contents...

Graham Packaging Company, L.P.(acquisition of PPI Blowpack Pvt. Ltd)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Graham Packaging Company, L.P., has agreed to acquire minority ownership in PPI Blowpack Pvt. Ltd., a privately held container-manufacturing company based in Mumbai, India. The finalized agreement was expected to be Signed in March 2009. PPI...

Arkema.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Arkema, Colombes, France, has revised its website www.graphistrength.com, which it describes as "a comprehensive information platform on its Carbon Nanotube commercial range, current R&D projects, and partnerships." On the site, Arkema says, it...

Arkema.
May 1, 2009... Arkema has acquired Oxford Performance Materials, Inc., Enfield, Connecticut USA, maker of polyether ketone ketone ultra-high-performance technical polymers marketed under the brand name Oxpekk[R]. www.oxfordpm.com.

Billerud/AB, Solna, Sweden, has acquired Tenova Bioplastics AB.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Billerud/AB, Solna, Sweden, has acquired Tenova Bioplastics AB, a Swedish company based in Norrkoping that produces compostable carrier bags made of bioplastics.

Dow Chemical Company.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... In February, the Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Michigan USA) announced the shutdown of its Poly 2 LDPE plant in Freeport, Texas USA, which the company explained as being necessitated by "current economic conditions and overcapacity (LDPE) in...

On Dec. 31, 2008, the Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, Ohio USA) acquired the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) business from The Dow Chemical Company.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... On Dec. 31, 2008, the Lubrizol Corporation (Wickliffe, Ohio USA) acquired the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) business from The Dow Chemical Company. Lubrizol says that this acquisition, structured as a sale and purchase of assets, expands its...

D-M-E Company.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... D-M-E Company, Madison Heights, Michigan USA, has announced an inclusive upgrade to the Stellar 4000 micromolding product line. The 5000 series offers enhancements to the standard format for commodity-material applications, and a...

Thermo Fisher Scientific has signed an agreement with TTL Technologies Pvt. Ltd., to distribute Thermo Scientific rheometers and viscometers in India.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(contract)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Thermo Fisher Scientific has signed an agreement with TTL Technologies Pvt. Ltd., to distribute Thermo Scientific rheometers and viscometers in India. In addition to Thermo Fisher Scientific's direct sales and service offices in Mumbai, Pune,...

Interstate Specialty Products, Inc.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Interstate Specialty Products, Inc., Sutton, Massachusetts USA, reports it has introduced lightweight, energy-absorbent foam insulation with a durable skin that the company says can be die-cut to specification and supplied with an adhesive...

GF AgieCharmilles, Lincolnshire, Illinois USA, has selected Hartwig, Inc., as a new distributor of its wire and diesinking EDM machines.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... GF AgieCharmilles, Lincolnshire, Illinois USA, has selected Hartwig, Inc., as a new distributor of its wire and diesinking EDM machines. Hartwig, based in St. Louis, Missouri USA, is now the exclusive distributor for GF AgieCharmilles in...

Huron Technologies, Inc.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Huron Technologies, Inc., Leslie, Michigan USA, says that its recently developed Release Coating 7232 for flexible foam applications is effective in producing seating components for off-road vehicles including SUVs and trucks. Release Coating...

The Hydraulic Institute.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... The Hydraulic Institute (HI), Parsippany, New Jersey USA, has launched its latest pump-industry e-learning program, titled Positive Displacement Pumps: Fundamentals, Design and Applications. The HI says that the comprehensive course on...

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO).(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... The International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Geneva, Switzerland, has published ISO/TR 12885:2008, Health and Safety Practices in Occupational Settings Relevant to Nanotechnologies, which focuses on the manufacture and use of...

Ames Corporation.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Ames Corporation, Hamburg, New Jersey USA, has introduced AmesCoat Dent Resistant Coating Technology. Ames develops and manufactures fusing products for high-speed digital printing and copying machines; the company recently developed a series...

Ashland Distribution, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (Dublin, Ohio USA), has released the sixth edition of Ashland's Thermoplastics Processing Guide.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Ashland Distribution, a commercial unit of Ashland Inc. (Dublin, Ohio USA), has released the sixth edition of Ashland's Thermoplastics Processing Guide. This edition contains information from the previous versions and includes new information...

GKS Inspection Services.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... GKS Inspection Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota USA, reports that it has expanded its capabilities to include Computed Tomography (CT) scanning services and systems sales, which are available at the company's locations worldwide. High-accuracy...

Polymer Diagnostics Inc. (PDI).(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Polymer Diagnostics Inc. (PDI), Avon Lake, Ohio USA, a provider of plastics testing, analysis, and polymer consulting, has announced the availability of testing services targeted toward compliance with U.S. Consumer Product Safety Improvement...

NSF International.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... NSF International (Ann Arbor, Michigan USA), a public health organization, has announced it has expanded the scope of its ANS/ISO/IEC Standard 17025: General Criteria for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories accreditation to...

Evonik Industries.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Evonik Industries (Germany) reports that in compliance with the EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation, it has successfully registered synthetic amorphous silica with the European Chemicals...

The Smithers Group.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... The Smithers Group (Akron, Ohio USA) has announced that it is assisting companies as they begin the process of registering their chemical substances to be in compliance with REACH--the European regulation on chemicals and their safe use...

Applied NanoWorks (ANW).(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Applied NanoWorks (ANW), a company based in Malta, New York USA, that develops inorganic materials, has announced it has released FlexB[TM], a boron-based, non-halogenated flame retardant (FR) additive for nylon, epoxies, and water-based...

Gerresheimer Wilden GmbH.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Gerresheimer Wilden GmbH, Regensburg, Germany, is constructing a Technical Competence Center (TCC) for the U.S. market at its site in Peachtree City, Georgia. The company says that the objective of the new TCC is to serve American customers...

MedPlast.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... MedPlast, of Tempe, Arizona USA, has expanded its mold-manufacturing facility in West Berlin, New Jersey USA. The facility specializes in complex molds serving the health-care and select industrial markets. The company says that since its...

Pinpoint Laser Systems.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Pinpoint Laser Systems, Peabody, Massachusetts USA, reports it is adding to its Microgage 2D family of receiver products, which can be used for aligning production machinery and equipment. The "Transparent" Receiver, which allows a laser beam...

Cognex Corporation.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Cognex Corporation (Natick, Massachusetts USA) offers an on-line tool that it says will help manufacturers understand the benefits that can be achieved through the use of machine vision and industrial identification. The Cognex Cost Savings...

IDI Composites International.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... IDI Composites International (Noblesville, Indiana USA), a formulator and manufacturer of thermoset molding compounds, has announced that its 46-16-26-S bulk molding compound recently received a Relative Temperature Index (RTI) rating of...

IDI Composites International.
May 1, 2009... IDI Composites International also announces its line of Aeroform[TM] thermoset molding products, "designed specifically for demanding 'small wind' energy applications, where exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, durability, UV resistance, and...

PolyOne Corporation.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Eastman Chemical Co.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... PolyOne Corporation (Cleveland, Ohio USA) recently announced the availability of its first commercial compounds made with Eastman Tritan[TM] copolyester. Under the terms of its market-development agreement with Eastman Chemical Company...

Americhem.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Americhem Inc.)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Americhem (Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio USA), a supplier of colors and additives, reports that it has recently launched a new global website, featuring variable content for customers in three worldwide regions and five global languages. Visitors to...

Dieffenbacher.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Dieffenbacher (Eppingen, Germany) has announced a new website, which can be accessed at www.dieffenbacher.de or www.dieffenbacher.com.

Rockwell Automation, Inc.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Rockwell Automation, Inc., headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA, has introduced the Allen-Bradley Guardmaster Minotaur MSR57P, which it describes as a dedicated safe-speed monitoring relay and a "first-of-its-kind safety relay... designed...

Bayer MaterialScience LLC.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... In February, Bayer MaterialScience LLC (BMS), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA, announced the commercial availability of Bayblend[R M301 FR polycarbonate/ABS blend, which it calls "an innovative material for the health-care market that meets...

Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Solvay Advanced Polymers, LLC, (Alpharetta, Georgia USA) has announced that its KetaSpire PEEK (polyetheretherketone) and AvaSpire modified PEEK have achieved ISO 10993 biocompatibility compliance for use in limited-exposure medical devices and...

Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, has announced that two new grades of GUR[R] ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) with vitamin E are available for sampling and testing in orthopedic implants.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, has announced that two new grades of GUR[R] ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) with vitamin E are available for sampling and testing in orthopedic implants....

GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, a PolyOne.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... GLS Thermoplastic Elastomers, a PolyOne business, has released five Versaflex HC TPE materials for medical applications. The company says that they offer U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) compliance, and feature extremely low extractables...

Lucintel.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Global Short Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites 2008-2013: Trend, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Industry-research firm Lucintel (Dallas, Texas USA) is promoting a 150-page report titled Global Short Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites 2008-2013: Trend, Forecast, and Opportunity Analysis. Lucintel says that from 2008 to 2013, the...

Rexam, a consumer packaging company headquartered in London, UK, has announced that it has purchased the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture between the company and Pavisa Industries.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Rexam, a consumer packaging company headquartered in London, UK, has announced that it has purchased the remaining 50% interest in the joint venture between the company and Pavisa Industries. As a result of the agreement, Rexam will take full...

Sun Chemical Performance Pigments has announced that it has expanded its distribution relationship with Brenntag Specialties, Inc.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Sun Chemical Performance Pigments has announced that it has expanded its distribution relationship with Brenntag Specialties, Inc., a global distributor, as its sales agents for the entire United States. Sun Chemical Corporation is a subsidiary...

Mettler Toledo.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Mettler Toledo, Columbus, Ohio USA, has introduced a new range of multi-parameter portable meters for measurements of pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, and ion concentration. The company says that all three instruments are based on the rugged...

Clariant Masterbatches Canada.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Clariant Masterbatches Canada has expanded laboratory capabilities at its plant in Delta, British Columbia, Canada, and added two new sales representatives to serve the region. Grant Erikson is a sales representative for color and additive...

MAG Industrial Automation Systems.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(University of Philadelphia. School of Engineering and Textiles)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... MAG Industrial Automation Systems, Erlanger, Kentucky USA, has donated a $100,000 Vertical Machining Center (VMC) to Philadelphia University's School of Engineering and Textiles (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA). The VMC is a prototyping machine...

DSM Engineering Plastics.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... DSM Engineering Plastics, based in The Netherlands, has given the name "Stanyl[R] ForTii[TM]" to its new high-performance polymer intended for use in electronics and other applications. The company says that ForTii (previously announced as...

DSM Engineering Plastics, The Netherlands, and Resinex BMY have entered into a distribution agreement involving the market development and sales of DSM Engineering Plastics' resins in Turkey.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... DSM Engineering Plastics, The Netherlands, and Resinex BMY have entered into a distribution agreement involving the market development and sales of DSM Engineering Plastics' resins in Turkey. The two companies already have distribution...

Ineos Nova.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... INEOS NOVA, Fribourg, Switzerland, a joint venture of Ineos and Nova Chemicals, increased prices for all polystyrene products in Europe by +60 Euro per ton as of March 1. The company explained that it needed to restore an acceptable margin in...

The Sartomer Company.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... The Sartomer Company has opened a plastics laboratory "to further develop its global plastics business." Located at the company's headquarters in Extort, Pennsylvania USA, the lab is dedicated to research and development of functional additives...

The Sartomer Company.
May 1, 2009... The Sartomer Company, Exton, Pennsylvania USA, says its plastics research and development team has discovered a new use for its styrene maleic anhydride resin: SMA 1000 can modify the melt-flow of polybutadiene terephthalate (PBT) in mixtures...

New England Urethane, Inc.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... New England Urethane, Inc. (North Haven, Connecticut USA), a producer of custom thermoplastic compounds for the plastics and medical industries, has announced that it has earned ISO 9001:2000 certification. Founded in 1988, the company produces...

Phoenix Technologies.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Phoenix Technologies (Bowling Green, Ohio USA) has announced the construction of its first commercial recycled polyethylene terephthalate line (rPET) for the production of LNO[TM]c food-grade resin. The line is located at the company's...

Hardy Instruments.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... Hardy Instruments, San Diego, California USA, describes its new HI 4060 as a compact, single-feeder, closed-loop rate controller for use in a variety of applications, including auger, belt and vibratory-based feeders, converting them from...

Sytrama.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Sytrama, a manufacturer of flexible robotic automation equipment with headquarters in Vignate, Italy, has established a new location within the United States. From the facility in East Windsor, Connecticut, the company says, it will offer its...

ASTM International (West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania USA) reports that its new standard, ASTM D7447, Practice for Symbolizing Adhesive Applications, provides a convenient way for engineers to represent adhesives on a computer-aided design drawing.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)
May 1, 2009... ASTM International (West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania USA) reports that its new standard, ASTM D7447, Practice for Symbolizing Adhesive Applications, provides a convenient way for engineers to represent adhesives on a computer-aided design...

Taiwan Mold Tool.(WORLDWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Senyun Optical Corporation)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Taiwan Mold Tool (TMT) has announced that it is opening a new joint-venture factory in Taiwan, with Senyun Optical Corporation. TMT will now have a total of eight factories--five in Taiwan, and three in Guangzhou, China. Established in 1978,...

Energy-saving: tip of the month #1.(WORLWIDE: Industry News and Notes)(Law overview)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Getting Started: Energy-Management Systems There will be no progress in managing energy use unless it is on the management agenda. If energy use is not visible and measured, then there will be no improvement. Every site needs an...

Industry patents.
May 1, 2009... The patent is a legal document giving the holder a license to capitalize on the invention without competition for a few years. In exchange, the holder teaches the basis of the invention. Vacuum-Assisted Thermoforming U.S. Patent...

For members only: support your career with an AMA Participating Membership.(American Management Association)
May 1, 2009... Do you know that you are entitled to an American Management Association (AMA) Participating Membership? Because you are a member of SPE, you can enroll as a Participating Member of AMA and receive benefits including a monthly e-newsletter,...

Ken Braney's monthly look at SPE's activities in Europe.(EUROPE: SPE NEWS ROUNDUP)(Society of Plastics Engineers)(Conference news)
May 1, 2009... This monthly news roundup is due for publication in our May edition and it is therefore only one month until the first-ever ANTECTM@NPE, which will be held in Chicago, Illinois USA. Our Council meeting days are the 20th and 21st of June;...

In memoriam: Fred E. Schwab.(EUROPE: SPE NEWS ROUNDUP)(Obituary)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... SPE notes with sorrow the passing of Fred E. Schwab, one of the cofounders of the Society of Plastics Engineers. Fred died on January 20, 2009, at the age of 90. Born in 1918 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, Fred emigrated to the United...

Industry events.(EUROPE)(Calendar)
May 1, 2009... MAY 11-13, Plastics In Motion Site: Budapest, Hungary, Website: www.executive-conference.com 11-15, ACHEMA 2009 Site: Frankfurt, Germany, Website: www.achema.de 12-14, Leachables and Extractables for Pharmaceutical...

Industry events.(NORTH AMERICA)(Conference news)(Calendar)
May 1, 2009... SPE CONFERENCES June 22-26. ANTEC[TM]@NPE2009. Site: McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois USA. For further information, contact Lesley Kyle, +1 203-740-5452; Email: antec@4spe.org. Sept. 14-17. SPE's FOAMS[R] Conference and...