Dow’s Innate Tf-bope Resins Enable Lion Corporation to Launch Recyclable Refill Bags for Shower Cream in Thailand
Dow (NYSE: DOW) has partnered with Lion Corporation to launch recyclable refill bags for Shokubutsu Monogatari’s shower cream in Thailand, using Dow’s Innate TF Polyethylene Resins for Tenter Frame Biaxial Orientation (TF-BOPE).
Leveraging the materials science expertise of Dow Thailand Group, the unique collaborative approach by Dow’s Pack Studios Singapore as well as the distribution network of SCG Chemicals (SCGC), Lion Corporation managed to successfully develop fully recyclable 200-ml and 500-ml shower cream refill bags for its beauty care brand, Shokubutsu Monogatari.
This initiative aims to advance a circular economy in Thailand by demonstrating the commitment of value chain collaboration with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions – through enabling the recyclability of refill bags and maintaining the functionality and quality of the packaging.
“Providing consumers more sustainable choices can only be possible with the effort and collaboration from the entire value chain,” said Bambang Candra, Asia Pacific commercial vice president, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. “We are excited to collaborate with like-minded partners including Lion Corporation and SCGC, providing Dow with this opportunity to develop the easy-to-recycle refill bag for consumers in Thailand.”
“Refill bags are a popular choice in Thailand due to increasing awareness from consumers on the need to reduce plastic waste and carbon emissions. However, due to stringent technical requirements, traditional refill bags are often made of films laminated with multiple kinds of plastics – making it extremely difficult to recycle this packaging,” said Supot Katetopragran, commercial director of Dow Thailand. “Dow’s Innate TF-BOPE has durable material
properties, offering high toughness and excellent optics for stand-up shelf appeal and touch and feel, enabling the development of a high-performance all-polyethylene structure that can be easily recycled, along with responsible disposal and recycling infrastructure.”
“Lion has always been committed to developing sustainable products and packaging. This is in line with the shifting needs of consumers, as they become increasingly interested in environmentally friendly products. The recyclable refill bag for Shokubutsu Monogatari shower creams is an example of how more sustainable packaging can help to close the loop – through collaboration from business alliances, Dow’s recyclable packaging solution, and support from SCGC. These made the development of Lion Thailand’s first recyclable refill bags possible while ensuring the quality of the product inside the packaging. This packaging also helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance a circular economy in the country,” said Somsak Srisaardrak, SPC Business Executive Manager of Lion (Thailand).
The newly developed recyclable packaging is a milestone for Dow’s breakthrough Innate TF-BOPE resins, enabling traditional hard-to-recycle packaging to be easily integrated into existing recycling streams. The recyclable Shokubutsu Monogatari shower cream refill bags will eventually replace the older bags and are now available for consumers across department stores and supermarkets in Thailand nationwide.
Noteworthy: Around 80 customers, partners and employees as guests
Impressive: Arburg Poland successfully on the market for three decades
The Arburg subsidiary in Poland celebrated a round anniversary: its 30th year in business. Konrad Szymczak, Managing Director of Arburg Poland, greeted the 80 or so guests. The “Oktoberfest”-themed celebrations looked back at 30 successful years, with speeches and entertaining photo shows taking centre-stage.
“Today we are delighted to celebrate 30 years of Arburg Poland with our customers, partners, and employees,” said Konrad Szymczak. On behalf of Arburg headquarters in Germany, Silvia Bednar, Sales Representative for Poland, congratulated the subsidiary on its anniversary. Guests of honour included Dr. Sławomir Śniady, who was Managing Director of the subsidiary for 25 years, and Marek Zembrzuski, who held the role of authorised signatory at Arburg in Poland for 29 years. In his speech, Dr. Sławomir Śniady expressed his gratitude for the many years of cooperation. Together with Konrad Szymczak, Marek Zembrzuski looked back over the successful history of Arburg Poland.
A hearty feast
Around 80 guests came to the “Ok toberfest”-themed anniversary celebrations. Our technology was not neglected either: an electric Allrounder 570 A with Gestica control system manufactured brushes from polypropylene live. A special highlight of the celebrations were photo shows that brought back memories of the subsidiary’s milestones over the decades, and of previous trade fairs and customer events.
Development in Poland: From zero to a hundred
30 years ago the name Arburg and the Allrounders were not very well known in Poland. At first, we sold used machine there, but then, pretty quickly, new machines as well. The subsidiary developed very well and Arburg continuously gained more market share. The construction of the Arburg Technology Center (ATC) in Warsaw, which the company moved into in 2016, marked an important milestone. With a usable floor space of 800 square metres, it offers every opportunity to provide customers with first-class and comprehensive support. Still today, the services range from the expert hotline and Application Technology consultation, through the spare parts warehouse and the showroom, to training.
Interplas Continues Growth Trajectory With New Features for 75th Anniversary Edition
Since Rapid News Group took over running Interplas in 2010, the UK’s leading plastics event has been on a considerable journey of rebirth and growth. In 2023, the show will be back with new and exciting features, bringing together perspectives from all corners of the industry. This continued investment in the show by the organisers is set to further cement its position as the leading UK event for the international plastics industry for the short-, medium- and long-term.
Since the acquisition from Reed Exhibitions, Interplas has seen a resurgence in the key metrics that trade shows use to benchmark themselves by. Visitor numbers, quantity of exhibitors and stand space are all up. Perhaps the most visible indicator is that what was just half of one hall at the NEC in 2008 has now expanded across two halls… who said manufacturing in the UK was dead?
Dave Gray, Head of Content at British Plastics & Rubber/InterplasInsights.com sat down with Duncan Wood, Chief Executive of Rapid News Group to find out more about the journey the show has been on and what to look forward to in 2023.
DG: There’s no denying that the Interplas of recent years is a far cry from where the event was back in 2008. What are your abiding memories of that period?
Duncan Wood, CEO, Rapid News Group
From 2010, when we first took over, all the way through to running as one of the first post lockdown events in the UK with the postponed edition in September 2021, it’s been quite a journey. I would say a mainly positive experience for everyone who has been involved at RN. Although I don’t think anyone on our side would willingly go through the 395 floorplan iterations and 1000 budget revisions we had to handle in the run up to 2021!
In the end it is important to recognise that we are custodians of a show that existed long before any of the current team were born! So, our memories of the last twelve years are only a small part of the Interplas story. As we approach the seventy-fifth anniversary of the show it is important that we reflect on that history, but stay focused on the future of the UK’s plastics event. Our legacy will be what we do next. It is THE industry show and every decision we have ever made has always been framed by the question: does it move the UK plastics industry forward?
DG: What do you attribute the success of Interplas to since RN took over?
The simple answer is hard graft from an amazing team and consistent investment in the areas that matter. It is, of course, much more nuanced than that but the original decision to invest in the event was housed in a belief we could positively impact the plastics industry by bringing an event that was in the doldrums back to life.
The numbers for the show over the years in terms of visitors, exhibitors and floor space would suggest by any measure we have achieved that aim, in some cases spectacularly and in some cases against everyone’s expectations.
Even the 2021 edition, with a twelve-month postponement due to covid that meant it was one of the first post pandemic events (with all the uncertainty that brought) was topped off with a fuel crisis on the same week. And yet we still had a record rebook rate in the immediate quarter after the show. Testament that sticking to doing the basics like marketing the event well, even in tough times, will yield results for our clients… and in the end that’s who we do it for.
DG: It’s brilliant that the rebooks were so strong, but you can’t deny that visitor numbers took a hit?
For sure, Dave, but given we were one of the first shows post covid, with the uncertainty that still existed around mass gatherings, added to an unexpected fuel crisis and you have the perfect storm for lower attendance – but in the end the feedback we had onsite blew us away, the quality of attendee was extremely high as those who came, came to do business. So, if we can deliver in the chaos of that situation, I am excited about what we can do with a nine-month visitor campaign that will start in January 2023.
I do want to take a moment here to thank the industry for their support in 2021. It was fraught for everyone, but we were blown away by the support we received. It was a challenging period that made us stronger, and I genuinely believe our team is more robust and better equipped than ever to operate in challenging conditions. We always take the positives!
DG: Do you think that there are any long-term effects for live events post pandemic?
The most important thing is what we have learned through this period and one thing is for sure, live events are not going to be the same in the future.
But let’s also be clear, that’s not just a covid thing. That’s a direction of travel that had emerged long before we all stopped getting on planes in early 2020.
We run events across Asia and North America as well as having our interests in Europe, so our view is not restricted to the UK or to the plastics industry only. Long before covid appeared we had recognised that content needs to be really engaging, relevant and offer clear takeaways, that attendees valued an ability to pre-arrange meetings and to plan their time at the show in advance, and that show floor features needed to excite and offer useful information – not merely be places to sit and rest your feet.
Equally, long before covid appeared we had decided that an aim of being the biggest show in the world in any sector was a bit silly, and quite frankly unsustainable when you consider the carbon footprint of flying people half way round the world to see what they can see in their own country.
What visitors want and need are events that are valuable to them…and what is valuable and useful about spending two days in Düsseldorf trekking around seventeen halls in the hope of some inspiration and serendipity in an encounter?
I say that with a smile on my face because for the foreseeable future K Show is always going to be important. But there is a shift in thought process for attendees: they are more discerning today than five years ago and organisers must adapt.
So covid helped us hone and reinforce our thinking, we watched lots of organisers fail miserably with virtual exhibitions. Digital solutions can enhance live events but they will never replace the face-to-face encounter, and Interplas 2023 will be the first time we can bring together all our developments and ideas without restrictions.
DG: So, on that subject, looking ahead to 2023, what will be different?
The feedback we had relating to 2021 was great but we’ve never simply repeated the last edition… this time we get to deploy some very cool ideas that have been bubbling since 2018.
The first new element is in the planning phase. We are currently in the process of recruiting an Exhibitor Advisory Board to ensure we have a range of industry perspectives in our planning process. We’ve worked hard to win the trust of the major industry brands since we took over the show and it is essential that these important organisations have a voice in the direction of their industry event. Our first meeting is in November and we are excited by the composition of this group and the industry knowledge we’ll now be able to tap into to ensure we create a must attend event.
The second really exciting new play that links pre-show and the live event together is a significant technology investment that we have made. Our new web platform and event app mesh visitor planning and exhibitor lead generation together brilliantly. For visitors it means once registered they can start to review the AI recommended exhibitors (who have full featured profile pages), setting meetings, assembling check-lists of who to visit, products to review. It is a gamechanger in enabling visitors to plan to make the most of their time at the event.
On the reverse side, the exhibitor dashboard captures and shows all of these interactions, and enables exhibitors to reach out to registered visitors and set meetings ahead of the show.
The other very cool, and financially beneficial aspect to this investment for exhibitors, is that the app enables every exhibitor team member to scan visitors and therefore gather leads on their own smartphones… all for free. So, no more expensive data scanners needed and what’s more, the data loads instantly to the dashboard so no waiting at the end of the day for the leads to be downloaded from the scanners.
DG: OK, so that’s ahead of the show… what can expect we when we get there?
I think the third really big investment is in the content at the event, we’ve tried a number of formats over the years but we’ve never really nailed a high-level conference, so for 2023 that’s precisely what we are going to do. We are creating a purpose-built closed theatre on the show floor and inside that for three days there will be a programme of the highest quality… but don’t think ‘Death by PowerPoint’, the format of the programming will be as innovative as the topics under discussion. We’ll take on the issues that matter to our industry including Circular Economy, Reshoring, Energy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Sustainability and Digitisation. Because we are not only a show organiser, we are embedded in the industry with our media plays including the highly regarded magazine British Plastics & Rubber, our ability to use our connections to wire together a programme of the highest quality is unrivalled in the UK. I can’t wait to reveal some of the speakers and formats.
Our new technology investment also means we have the capability to bring the content to life in a digital environment ahead of the event, showcasing what exhibitors are bringing and signposting the most exciting sessions for registered visitors. Beyond 2023 we also have something new coming for the plastics community but more on that at the show next year.
We’ll also have the Knowledge Hub back on the show floor, alongside a new VIP Buyer programme which we’ll be rolling out in Q1 next year when registration opens. Every feature is designed with a clear thread running through it.
Obviously, sustainability is at the heart of the industry’s challenges right now, with energy costs reaching concerning levels for manufacturers. So we’re dedicating time on the conference stage to explore strategies for dealing with that.
Then of course the supply chain challenges of recent years have given many brand owners pause for thought. More and more we’re hearing from contract manufacturers who are seeing tooling and processing being re-shored as a result of inconsistencies in the supply chain, as well as varying levels of quality. We’ll be making sure we profile the best of British contract service providers.
The final element at the event, and frankly the real stars of the show, are the exhibitors. Despite only having two years between shows this time I am pleased to say the floorplan is looking fantastic. August was a superb month with over 30 companies signing up, both halls are filling up nicely.
DG: How else do you go about creating the right environment for networking at a show like Interplas?
The plastics industry is a social bunch, so social events play a huge part in the all-round event package. In 2021 we hosted our exhibitors on two nights, seizing the opportunity to get together again after the pandemic. It went so well we’ll be hosting our exhibitors, speakers, advisors and VIPs again on both the evenings of Day 1 and Day 2 next September.
We’ll be providing the food, drinks and entertainment for everyone, creating the platform for the biggest informal get-together of the British plastics industry. These socials are our way of saying thank you to the event stakeholders, in particular the exhibitors, who make the show the brilliant vehicle for the UK plastics industry that it is.
DG: And of course, it’s going to be a huge year for the show as it celebrates its 75th Anniversary. How are you planning to mark the event?
We’ve got plenty of ideas, but one appeal I’d like to make to all readers is that we are looking to collect as much Interplas memorabilia as possible to display at the show. We’ve found and acquired some amazing old show guides, but we would love to see, and display at the event, any photos, tickets or Interplas related things from times past.
The most significant part of the celebration will be the announcement on the evening of Day 1 of the 75 most influential people in the UK plastics industry. We’ll be opening the nomination process for this in the coming weeks and anyone from the industry will be able to nominate those individuals who they feel are most deserving of recognition for their contribution to the industry. We hope to see as many of the 75 individuals there in person as possible, where they’ll be able to catch up with connections old and new.
DG: Recently we’ve seen a new entrant into the space, with the inaugural edition of Plastics Live taking place earlier this year. How do you see that?
We operate in an industry that is worth over £25bn to the UK. We don’t expect to have this space all to ourselves! There is always room for great events that are capable of pushing the industry forward and that are demonstrably different to what is in the market already. To be fair, we’ve always had smaller shows operating in the gaps between Interplas editions, whether it was PDM or others that came and went before. It’s all good.
DG: So, a lot a lot of exciting things planned… what’s next for the team?
Yes, lots going on, but we still have huge ambition and the event has even more potential so it’s easy to stay motivated when you look at it like that.
Next for us is to open up nominations for the 75 Most Influential awards. We’ll all be at the K-Show in October, and we’ll be hosting our regular Reception aboard the BPF boat on Thursday 20th October on the banks of the Rhine… any BP&R readers who would like to come to that, please drop us a line.
Then we have the inaugural Exhibitor Advisory Board meeting and then the important step of registration opening will happen in January and at that point we want everyone reading this to register to join us in September… it will be a birthday to remember!
Intermat Comes to India With Its First Edition Offers Robust Platform for Construction Businesses to Revamp & Revolutionize
Leaders and key players from the industry are expected to attend this first ever edition in India.
This three-day event is expected to present a wide range of construction materials and machinery, host two conferences, and showcase two exciting new launches from NBEE and Puzzolana.
The rapidly growing construction industry needs constant advancements in technology. With this unprecedented growth and a rising need for products that can fit every region’s needs, Intermat is here in India with its first edition to exhibit a wide range of construction machinery and materials in Mumbai. The event will be held at the Bombay Convention & Exhibition Centre, Nesco, Goregaon from September 19-21,2022.
India needs around 50 Trillion Rupees worth of investment in infrastructure for the development of the country. Intermat provides appealing opportunities for businesses with favourable valuations, a brighter scope for improvement, and more.
Intermat is among one of the world’s top 3 construction shows where businesses can gain visibility, build networks, and encourage growth within a qualified diverse ecosystem. In this expo, industry professionals get to explore exhibits of a complete range of construction machinery and materials, establish their presence, and build a gateway for businesses in developing and high-potential regions.
Isabelle Alfano, Construction Business Unit Director, Comexposium said, “I am very proud to bring Intermat to India, which is a fast-growing country with strong construction challenges.” She added, “Being present in India will enable Intermat to spread all around this region, bringing in experience from well-established construction equipment manufacturers to provide Indian professionals with strong and efficient solutions to meet their needs. We have studied the Indian market in-depth and feel it’s the ripe time for the launch of Intermat India.”
The event is expected to attract some of the industry’s most prominent participants and exhibitors, including Ace, Caterpillar, Kobelco, Puzzalona , M.B.Crusher, Tata Capital, Gulf Oil, Wipro, Uniflex, and others.
The event will also hold two conferences with experts and industry leaders. There will be a conference on GST and Labour Codes in relation to the construction industry by Builders Association of India. Notable speakers like Adv. K. Sribhoomi Yesaswini, Shri Prashant Ambulgekar, and CA S.S. Gupta will be addressing the conference on September 19.
Vikram Sharma, Chairman of Intermat India GC Committee, highlighted that the key aspects of this exposition is that it is being held in Mumbai, the hub for several large corporates, construction companies and financial institutes. Participants of Intermat at Mumbai will get the advantage of interacting with decision-makers directly.
He quotes – “As the Chairman of the GC, I grab the opportunity to request the industry leaders to take advantage of the exposition and spend quality time with the industry stakeholders. And not to miss, we have a great line-up at the finance conference”
Rajan Sharma, Managing Director at Interads Pvt Ltd, remarked, “This event is going to be huge and bringing industry leaders, decision makers, and consumers all under the same roof is the need of the hour. The expo will be brimming with ideas and business partnerships and I look forward to more such editions of Intermat in the near future.”
There will also be a finance conference that will discuss the financing opportunities for the growing infra sector. This will be covered by leaders of this industry such as Mr. Rajkiran Rai, MD from Nabfid, Mr. Sarosh Amaria MD Tata Capital Financial Services Limited, Mr. Sachin Pillai MD & CEO Hinduja Leyland Finance, Mr Dimitrov Krishnan MD Volva Constriction Equipment (India) President (ICEMA), Mr. Prasad Patwardhan CFO, ITD Cementation India Ltd, Mr Sandeep Singh MD Tata Hitachi Construction Machinery Company Ltd Chairman, IESC. Mr. Deepak Garg MD Sany Heavy Industry India Ltd, Mr. Praveen Singh Founder & Director Infrastructure Advisors Pvt Ltd and Mr. Ramesh Palagiri MD & CEP Writgen India Pvt ltd. The finance conference will be held on September 20 at 11 am.
Moreover, the event will also have two exciting new launches. Puzzolana, the leading mining, and construction equipment manufacturer, is expected to launch its new range of crushers at Intermat 2022.
NB Equipments & Engineering PL will also launch their first-ever, made-in-India 25-meter Truck-Mounted boom, with an articulated work platform and a carrier attachment. This 25-meter truck-mounted articulated boom has begun production at NBEE’s Thane facility.
Intermat is a trade show that is a collaboration between Comexposium, a leading European Event Organizer, and Inter Ads, an Indian trade show organizer. Among the world’s top 3 construction trade shows, Intermat aims to give the Indian construction industry premier access to the sector.
Breakthrough Smooth-Mode Technology for Ultra-Smooth 3D-Printed Rubber Parts
Chromatic 3D Materials, a 3D-printing technology provider, has developed breakthrough Smooth-Mode technology for 3D printing of durable rubber parts with ultra-smooth surfaces at commercial volumes. Now, industrial manufacturers can 3D print smooth, high-quality polyurethane parts, such as seals, gaskets, grommets, bladders and other elastomeric products, with no post processing or surface finishing.
“Sealing requires a smooth surface, but 3D-printed parts have always had layer lines or roughness. We have developed a way to easily and cost-effectively 3D print products that are ultra-smooth without additional steps. It’s a breakthrough for 3D printing those professional applications that must be airtight and watertight,” said Dr. Cora Leibig, Chromatic CEO and founder.
Parts printed with Smooth-Mode technology have superior aesthetics as well as finer dimensional accuracy. For example, products can be printed with precise uniform thickness at submillimeter scale. Thus, the new technology is suitable for manufacturing rubber bladders and other elastomeric products that expand and contract.
Chromatic’s team of additive manufacturing experts first achieved ultra-smooth prints by fine-tuning the viscosity and surface tension of the company’s printable thermoset polyurethane materials. “We developed a way to go beyond simply applying our reaction technology to FDM printing. Smooth-Mode uses chemistry to create an ultra-bonded and smooth part. We believe this printing technique delivers the world’s smoothest printing along the Z, or height, axis,” explained Dr. Bart Engendahl, Chromatic’s managing director in Germany.
Industrial manufacturers can take advantage of Smooth-Mode with Chromatic’s RX-AM materials and technology platform. A 3-in-1 platform, RX-AM includes materials, software and hardware for deposition printing with reactive chemistry. RX-AM, or Reactive Extrusion Additive Manufacturing, uses printable polyurethanes with Shore A hardness ranging from 50 to 90 as well as custom grades with varying colors, hardnesses and special properties (e.g. antibacterial, static discharge, biocides, etcetera). The platform is designed for printing commercial volumes.
Reworx Flooring Honored With Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards
Shaw Industries announces that its Reworx flooring has been recognized in Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards for 2022, which honor the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow.
Reworx flooring received honorable mention in three categories: Circular Design, Materials and Sustainability.
This newly introduced hybrid flooring offers the warmth and cleanability of a soft surface, with the durability of a hard surface and is designed to meet the performance and sustainability needs of a wide range of commercial properties. Made with 100 percent PET fiber, Reworx flooring incorporates an average of 61 recycled post-consumer plastic bottles per square yard and is fully recyclable back into new Reworx flooring at the end of its first life on the floor.
Through Shaw’s Environmental Guarantee, the product can be picked up at no charge to the customer using the company’s re[TURN] Reclamation Program to be recycled into the next generation of Reworx flooring, continuing the cycle of landfill diversion.
Reworx flooring will be available from Shaw’s Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial and Shaw Contract brands by the first quarter of 2023 and is Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze (v3.1) having been assessed for material health, product circularity, clean air and climate protection, water and soil stewardship and social fairness.
“We have been committed to designing safe and circular products according to Cradle to Cradle design principles for more than 20 years,” notes Shaw Industries President and CEO Tim Baucom. “We’re a customer-centric organization, and Reworx exemplifies our long-term commitment to helping those customers design spaces for people and the planet and demonstrates how sustainability and innovation are inextricably linked.”
Kellie Ballew, vice president of global sustainability and innovation, adds, “Shaw launched the world’s first PVC-free, recyclable carpet tile, Ecoworx, in 1999. We saw an opportunity to meet customers’ design, performance and sustainability needs in a completely new way.”
Ballew continues, “Ecoworx ultimately became our first Cradle to Cradle Certified product and the first flooring product in the world to achieve this rigorous product standard. Today, almost 90 percent of the products we manufacture are Cradle to Cradle Certified. ReWorx continues that legacy and illustrates the power of great teams coming together from throughout the company — keenly focused on our customers’ current and future needs and perpetually seeking inventive ways to design products with people and planet in mind.”
The Innovation by Design Awards competition, now in its 11th year, features a range of blue-chip companies, emerging startups, and hungry young talents. It is one of the most sought-after design awards in the industry.
“Renewable Methanol Offers Vast Potential to Reap Significant Socio-Economic Benefits”: Methanol Institute
The nation pledged this 75 th Independence Day to make India a Fossil Fuel Free Economy. India is moving closer to the long-awaited sustainable future as a result of this increasing acceptance of the necessity to use alternative fuels. Methanol being a versatile substance is extensively employed in industrial processes worldwide. Therefore, the economy of India would benefit if they turned their attention to methanol.
Talking about the consequent growth of Methanol in India, Prakriti Sethi, Chief India Representative, said, “Methanol is gaining significance in India as an alternative fuel that will bolster the country’s efforts to ensure energy security and reduce GHG emissions. Transport Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari has been vocal on encouraging the use of alternative fuels such as methanol. These steps signal positive progress towards India’s methanol economy. Recently Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) recently rolled out a M15 blending pilot project in Tinsukia district of Assam. This is a welcomed step to champion methanol as the next generation fuel of the country.”
She added “Renewable methanol offers vast potential to reap significant socio-economic benefits. India’s waste generation has doubled in the last couple of years. If adequate processes are developed to efficiently process and recycle waste, new economic value can be generated in the form of chemicals and fuels such as methanol. The potential to transform “waste” into a valued product such as renewable methanol can support new investments in technological innovations that tackle pollution by bolstering the country’s circular economy. These investments would go a long way to enhance livelihoods and provide economic opportunities. Waste to methanol facilitates reducing the quantity of waste for its safe disposal, energy independence, and sustainability.”
Since 2016, Methanol Institute has been engaging with the Indian Government entities such as Ministry of RoadTransport and Highways (MoRTH), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), and Niti Aayog to set up the methanol economy. MI has a strategic partnership agreement with Niti Aayog that seeks to strengthen the commitment of both organizations to develop India’s methanol economy through robust policy dialogue, with the goal of reinforcing India’s energy security with an efficacious methanol energy market.
“It’s Not About Doing Less, It’s About Doing the Right Thing”
Interview with Nils Ritterhoff, Managing Director at entex Rust & Mitschke Gmbh
Mr. Ritterhoff, what contribution is entex making to the circular economy?
In recent years we have analysed, developed and perfected various recycling processes together with partner companies, but also with research institutes. These include, for example, compounding or also the synthesis of bioplastics and recyclates as well as used tyre rubber devulcanisation. Our customer Novo-Tech, for example, uses our extruders to process wind turbine rotor blades consisting of glass fibre-reinforced plastics by means of a compounding process. Here, the recyclates are added to a wood-based material that is used, among other things, to manufacture decking boards. Our customer has also set up their own take-back system for their products. In this way, decking boards made of wood fibres and recycled thermoset plastic, as well as a small proportion of recycled thermoplastic are returned after use. They are also reprocessed and proportionately fed back into the manufacturing process of new decking boards – without any loss of quality. The fact that the quality of the end product remains at a high level despite the recycled content is largely due to our planetary roller extruder. The working principle of the machine offers excellent mixing properties without damaging the material through overloading. This is the only way to produce new floorboards from recycled floor covering and wind power blades that can meet their high-quality requirements.
What special attention should be paid when processing recyclates?
In our mechanical and chemical plastics recycling processes, we have a wide variety of applications and tasks for the machine. I would like to give you two examples of how entex can particularly support its customers in the processing of recyclates: For example, if recyclates are mixed with virgin material as described before, it is important for the recyclate not to be unnecessarily stressed during the process, as this is the cause of quality loss. Since our planetary roller extruder operates with particularly low shear compared to other systems, it offers the necessary basic prerequisite for this. In addition, our liquid temperature-controlled system allows us to specifically control the ratio of mechanical and thermal energy input to meet the requirements of the process, something that further minimises material stress and allows us to reduce or completely avoid damage. Another interesting aspect for processing recyclates is that we can extract volatile impurities and odorous substances from them. Due to the special geometry and operation of our extrusion system, there is more surface area and volume available inside the machine than in other systems. By applying a strong vacuum, impurities can be efficiently extracted.
How will the industry develop?
The plastics industry is still in the early stages of the circular economy. At entex, we have seen a significant increase in demand for our recycling processes in recent years. Many processes in this field of application are highly innovative, but still equally experimental – especially in the area of chemical recycling. We have many customers who are testing the depolymerisation of various materials, for example. However, this is still in its infancy; there are only a few plants today that are already recycling chemically on an industrial scale. In mechanical recycling, on the other hand, there have been established systems on the market for some time. As a mechanical engineering company, we would like to see legislators create clear framework conditions for all market participants. It would not be good if we in Germany or Europe had to comply with regulations that our competitors from Asia do not have.
Might these constraints lead to a technological edge?
I do believe that this will give us a competitive advantage for a limited period of time; this has also been the case in the past. For a long time, our competitors in Asia were not on our technological level; however, they have caught up strongly in recent years. If we in Europe are encouraged by politics and a regulatory environment to move faster than others, we will also benefit economically. If we now develop new processes and launch new technologies, we will at least be able to regain market shares in the industrialised countries that we have lost to cheaper Asian competitors.
Will the circular economy gain momentum?
I think so. This is necessary for moral reasons alone. We have to do something for the next generations. For this purpose, a change in thinking must take place here and now. We have to realise that real cycles have to be effective, not efficient. It’s not about doing less, it’s about doing the right thing. For instance, it’s not about stopping the use of mixed plastics, it’s about creating recyclable plastics. I think we are definitely heading in the right direction.
Guenther Klammer New CTO of Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen Gmbh (NGR)
Ing Guenther Klammer is responsible for the research and technical developments of Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH as the new technical manager (CTO). With this reinforcement in the management, the team of plastics recycling machine specialists will ensure the technical progress of products and services also in the future and further expand their position as a technological pioneer.
Guenther Klammer studied general mechanical engineering at the TU Wien. For the new position at NGR, he brings his profound technical expertise as well as many years of industry experience in plastics recycling. “Implementing innovative and sustainable solutions in plastics recycling is my passion, and I am looking forward to the new tasks at NGR,” says Klammer, who intends to continue driving the Feldkirchen-based mechanical engineering company’s growth course at the highest technical level.
Professionally, the creative tinkerer with management expertise has worked at Cincinnati Milacron, Erema, and as CEO of MAS Maschinen- und Anlagenbau Schulz GmbH, among others. Most recently, he headed the Plasticizing Systems & Recycling division at Engel Austria GmbH and was responsible for numerous patent applications during his career. In his private life, the enthusiastic mountain and water sportsman is the father of three grown-up children.
“In recent years, NGR has made a steady progress from a start-up to an internationally successful machine builder, not least due to technically innovative products,” explains Josef Hochreiter, CEO of the next genration group. “But we certainly don’t want to rest on this success. Because the requirements in plastics recycling are becoming more and more complex worldwide. In order to meet precisely these increased requirements and to continue to offer one step ahead solutions, we have once again strengthened our forces.”
The entire NGR management welcomes the personnel reinforcement and is convinced that the company is ideally equipped for future challenges thanks to Guenther Klammer’s technical know-how and experience. With the new appointment, NGR has reated ideal conditions to realize its mission “working for a better future” with a top motivated team and to continue developing innovative solutions and highly efficient recycling machines in the future.
Visitor Registration Launched for West Africa’s Largest Manufacturing Event
Propak West Africa opens its doors in just ten weeks’ time with visitors now able to register for their badges and be the first to receive updates about the exhibition.
With a record number of over 5,000 visitors expected through the doors at Propak to witness the growth and innovation that the exhibition has gone through since 2021, exceeding its previous largest edition in 2019, it promises to be a catalyst for ideas across the industries served.
The focus of Propak remains on the packaging, printing, plastics and processing industries and the auxiliary services and sectors that tie into them, with sustainability and green technologies having a rightfully larger presence for both the exhibitors and the conference agenda.
The ninth edition is sponsored by Epson, Skysat and Neofyton and will take place from the 22nd – 24th November 2022, once again returning to the purpose built exhibition venue, The Landmark Centre that sits at the centre of commerce in Africa’s largest city of Lagos, Nigeria.
Propak West Africa will see a large number of international companies arrive in Nigeria to showcase their product innovations and services to key buyers, business and factory owners from across West Africa. With substantial pavilions from Austria, Egypt, Italy in attendance alongside companies from 14 other countries, it will be a truly international event. Not to be out done by the international representation there is a strong and varied attendance from Nigerian companies who represent a broad range of household names and inspiring start-up companies in the sector. With more than 150 brands already confirmed Propak is bustling with opportunities, see the full exhibitor list online now – https://www.propakwestafrica.com/exhibitor-list.
Retaining its importance more than ever is the conference theatre, where industry leading commentators and operators will be sharing their insight and experience with those who attend. With Prof Pierre Pienaar, President, World Packaging Organisation, Princess Layo Bakare, Managing Director/CEO, FAE Limited and Amith Sukhnundan, Head, Markem-Imaje Dept, SBA Group already confirmed to speak, the line up in 2022 will surpass previous editions in its depth and focus. The sessions will cover key topics that are affecting the industries today, along with panel discussions covering green technologies, Intra-Africa trade and capital finance. These will be bolstered with presentations on specific areas of the industry including recycling, regulatory changes and industry 4.0.
With so much lined up for November, be sure to register to attend now and make sure you are the first to know about new developments and opportunities to boost your experience at Propak West Africa.
To find out more information on how to get involved, either by taking one of the final stands or sign up to attend as a visitor please visit – https://www.propakwestafrica.com/visiting/register2022
