Comexi CTec offers new consulting products such as ServiFlex and Remote ServiFlex, and will perform online, in person, and client in-home training
Comexi, a global supplier of solutions for the flexible packaging printing and converting sector, will end 2020 with three technological centers in various countries: the Manel Xifra Boada Technology Center (Comexi CTec), located at the company’s facilities in Riudellots de la Selva (Girona); CTec USA, located at the new headquarters in Miami (Florida), which will be completed next month; and CTec Brasil, which has been in operation for 3 years at the headquarters in Montenegro.
Comexi CTec, which specializes in training, advice, and technical process support for the printing and converting sectors of the flexible packaging industry, has been supporting Brazilian clients since its inception, giving knowledge to the local market. Currently, in order to offer comprehensive support and added value, CTec Brasil is expanding its services through the launch of consulting products such as ServiFlex and Remote ServiFlex, which allow customers to optimize production. “Productivity is a very important aspect of the difference between converters, due to the impact on competitiveness. Key elements include knowledge and the effective implementation of production strategies,” explains Albert López, the director.
Additionally, the Brazilian technological center has decided to expand its training services, and in sync with training lines offered by Girona CTec, it will launch advanced sessions, training webinars, and personalized machine operating courses. The topic of the first training workshop will be solutions for lamination defects. Glòria Deulofeu, the Comexi CTec academic coordinator, acknowledges that “we are happy to offer knowledge and have closer proximity to clients in Brazil”. As a result, customer in-home operational training will be promoted. The objective will be to improve their machine operation.
During this new phase, CTec Brasil aims to be closer to customers through the expansion of its product range, hence increasing added value. Ariston Galli, head of the Montenegro Technology Center, affirms that “we are excited about the possibility of offering new products. This will not only allow us to be near our customers, but will enable us to assist them in increasing productivity and overcoming their challenges.”
www.comexi.com
Technological Center in Brazil Expands Its Services
POLYMER COMPANY RECIEVES FIRST SUPPLY OF CERTIFIED RENEWABLE PHENOL
| Next milestone in the strategic cooperation of Borealis, Covestro and Neste for the use of alternative raw materials |
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| · Neste produces ISCC Plus certified hydrocarbons from 100 percent renewable raw materials · Borealis uses hydrocarbons from Neste for manufacture of ISCC Plus certified phenol · Covestro receives supply of 1,000 tons of renewable phenol from Borealis As part of a strategic collaboration, Covestro received a first delivery of 1,000 tons of renewable phenol from Borealis, produced with renewable hydrocarbons from Neste. Neste produces these ISCC Plus certified hydrocarbons (ISCC: International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) entirely from renewable raw materials. The hydrocarbons are then converted into ISCC Plus certified phenol by Borealis and finally used by Covestro to produce the high-performance plastic polycarbonate – as a replacement for part of the phenol previously manufactured from purely fossil resources. Polycarbonate is used in car headlights, automotive glazing, LED lights, electronic devices as well as other applications. “With this first supply, we are once again underlining our commitment to the increased use of alternative raw materials. In this way, we are leading carbon in a circle and are driving the circularity forward, which must become the new global guiding principle,” says Covestro´s CEO Dr. Markus Steilemann. “By cooperating with upstream partners such as Neste and Borealis, we are showing how a sustainable value chain can work.” “We are delighted to see our product helping Covestro to achieve this new milestone. It highlights the drop-in nature of our product and its fit for a continuously increasing number of demanding applications,” says Peter Vanacker, CEO of Neste. “Furthermore, it is showcasing how sustainability-focused collaboration among frontrunner companies – Neste, Borealis and Covestro – can make a positive impact even within a complex value chain.” ”Life demands progress. We are proud to be pioneers to deliver renewable phenol to our strategic customer Covestro. Together with our innovative value chain partner Neste we are at the forefront of driving the circular economy,” says Alfred Stern, CEO of Borealis. “This is how we re-invent for more sustainable living.” Neste produces its renewable hydrocarbons entirely from renewable raw materials, such as waste and residual oils and fats. These hydrocarbons can be used in existing production infrastructures and help replace fossil feedstocks that are used in the polymers and chemicals production. This makes it possible for companies such as Borealis and Covestro to produce more sustainable products with consistently high quality on the basis of their existing processes. With the planned transformation of raw materials used in the company’s production, Covestro aims at helping key industries such as the automotive and electronics industries to achieve greater sustainability and reduce their dependence on materials from fossil resources. The project is part of a comprehensive program with which Covestro, together with its partners, is seeking to propel the transformation to a circular economy and become fully circular itself. www.borealisgroup.com / www.borealiseverminds.com / www.covestro.com / neste.com |
LNG trucks with lower CO2 emissions for long-distance transport deployed
The first LNG truck, powered solely by liquefied natural gas, left Kaneka Belgium in Westerlo-Oevel on its way to Germany. The brand-new LNG trucks of transport company DE DECKER – VAN RIET will be used exclusively for the international transport of Kaneka MS Polymer. This partnership enables both companies to combine their policy on innovation and sustainability to contribute towards a better climate and innovation and embed sustainability into their strategy more deeply.
“We consider ecology, sustainability, and safety in everything we do.”
Having obtained the ‘Lean & Green’ certificate, Kaneka aims to achieve a 22.1% reduction in CO2 emissions in its logistics processes. Numerous measures have since been implemented to help achieve this objective, such as the considerable reduction in road transport to the ports by the maximum deployment of inland shipping. In the meantime, a distribution centre was put into use at the company’s own premises, which has drastically reduced the number of shuttle loads to external warehouses. True to its ‘green procurement’ strategy, Kaneka entered into partnerships for multimodal freight transport within Europe.
“Obtaining the Lean & Green certificate challenged us to develop our supply chain even further. Our action plan has been ongoing for four years now and we have already achieved a CO2 reduction of over 20%. The deployment of LNG for international freight transport has officially started the sprint towards the ‘Green Star,” says Danny Beyltiens, Supply Chain Manager of Kaneka Belgium NV.
“Customers embrace the LNG initiative”
Making sustainable choices has a positive effect on the relationship with customers, authorities and society. By investing in modern infrastructure for storage and unloading raw materials from ships, 900 ADR trucks were removed from Belgian roads in 2019 alone. The use of LNG trucks for bulk deliveries of Kaneka MS Polymer (liquid polymers used as base materials for high-quality adhesives, sealants and coatings) to Germany will streamline the supply chain even further. Moreover, customers greatly appreciate being supplied by an LNG truck in a smart and sustainable way.
“DE DECKER – VAN RIET invests in three LNG trucks for Kaneka”
As a stepping stone to possible future applications, such as hydrogen and electricity, liquefied natural gas is a future-proof alternative that no longer imposes restrictions on long-distance transport. There already are enough LNG filling stations to enable smooth international transport. In addition to lower consumption, lower emissions and lower fuel costs, these trucks will also contribute towards the climate through their reduced CO2 emissions. As the purchase of an LNG truck requires a larger investment than a traditional truck, the contribution to the climate determines future policy.
“For the switch to LNG we have invested in three Scania R410 LNG trucks, exclusively for Kaneka. These will be used to supply the majority of Kaneka’s German MS Polymer customers from the Kaneka site in Westerlo. This partnership is the outcome of many years of strong collaboration with Kaneka and embeds innovation and sustainability even more deeply in our joint strategy,” adds Christophe Larock, Business Unit Manager Tank Transport at DE DECKER – VAN RIET.
www.kaneka.be
Parquet reinvented with new Ultimtec technology
- Parquet with a revolutionary varnish
- A collection dedicated to decision-makers and professionals
BerryAlloc is launching a completely new oak parquet collection. It is an eloquent illustration of the two principles that define its brand: very high quality coupled with state- of-the-art technology. This vision is acclaimed every day by clients, interior designers and fitters.
The collection has been entirely rethought, as the fruit of two years of research by the R&D department and various partners (colours and finishes co-created by a team of architects, colourists and designers). As such, it is a remarkable demonstration of this French manufacturer’s savoir faire.
Thanks to its exclusive Ultimtec technology, BerryAlloc’s new collection succeeds in bringing together:
- The delicate natural beauty of oiled parquet.
- The ease of maintenance of a varnished parquet that is easy to clean, robust and long-lasting.
Ultimtec varnish respects the wood and contains no solvents or chemical reagents. It is obtained by impregnating the wood with a primer with a basis rich in aluminium oxide, then applying a UV acrylic finish. Besides the elegant decorative result that preserves the depth and nuance of every tint in the wood, it offers:
- An exceptional matt finish that meets the high requirements of homeowners and decorators. The matt surface obtained with the innovative Ultimtec finish comes very close to that of natural wood;
- Exceptional resistance to wear and tear and scratching. In terms of abrasion resistance, Ultimtec’s performance is higher than 15,000 Taber CS10 cycles: in other words, it is far higher than the demands of the NF standard, which requires a minimum of 12,000 cycles;
- Simplified maintenance and cleaning. It is no longer necessary to oil the parquet to preserve its original beauty.
A new approach based on colour and design
The consumer’s natural reflex is to choose their parquet by colour, then texture. BerryAlloc bore this intuitive process in mind when compiling its new collection of parquets divided into two ranges: Les Essentiels, offering solid value in floor decoration, and Les Exclusifs, with a selection of deep colours and distinctive characters.
The colours of the 19 options have been completely redesigned and adapted to the different markets.
Les Essentiels is a palette of 10 colours offering solid value. Their names evoke the beauty of materials found in nature.
Les Exclusifs are a premium range that includes 10 meticulously designed colours with an enhanced sense of depth. Their names evoke wide, open landscapes.
Opt for sustainable and responsible development
Deciding on a BerryAlloc oak parquet is a responsible choice. The biggest French parquet manufacturer has always prioritised sustainable development by using naturally sourced materials and renewable resources.
BerryAlloc’s parquets have a positive carbon footprint, which means their environmental impact is low. What is more, they have PEFC, Parquets de France and A+ certification.
Technical specifications
- High-performance innovative varnish Ultimtec
- High-tech parquet structure
- 3 layers assembled at high pressure and a low temperature
- 5 or 3.3 mm fine wood veneer
- Body in high-density fibreboard (HDF)
- Resin stabiliser
- Advantages of HDF structure: density of 875kg/m³, shock resistant, less echo and increased efficiency when used with underfloor heating.
Grand Release of Award-Winning Ultra Helix 250 T2 Nozzle
Husky Injection Molding Systems, a leading industrial technology provider to the plastics processing community, is proud to announce the release of the newest addition to the Ultra Helix Valve Gate nozzle lineup, the Ultra Helix 250 T2. The advanced design of Ultra Helix nozzles minimizes wear, providing industry leading gate quality and longevity. The award-winning Ultra Helix 250 T2 was specifically developed to extend the benefits of the Ultra Helix technology for small part weights with difficult to access gate locations.
Direct gating for small parts
With a 12mm nozzle bore, the Ultra Helix 250 T2 allows for direct gating in locations not achievable with larger nozzles. The pitch spacing down to 15mm enables the highest cavitation density and smallest mold footprint.
Reduced maintenance
The Ultra Helix 250 T2’s extended maintenance interval PX actuation is designed for applications with leakage prone resins like TPE and PE. The addition of a stem seal paired with enhanced thermal management heater technology improves performance and significantly optimizes maintenance requirements. This results in lower risk and cost of ownership.
Three actuation options available
The Individual Pneumatic option offers pitch spacing down to 25.4mm, providing ease of access for maintenance with the ability to individually access valve stems without removing the backing plate. Both the plate actuated UltraSync-P or servo driven UltraSync-E options can achieve 15mm pitch spacing.
Producing part weights of less than 0.1g
Our global customers are already taking advantage of the Ultra Helix 250 T2’s performance to make high quality precision parts from medical barrier closures and flow regulation valves to personal care products, food and beverage packaging and flip top closures. The part weights being produced range from less than 0.1g to over 4g and are being made from resins that are prone to leakage like PP, HDPE, LDPE, TPE and TPV, in both single injection and multi-material applications. The Ultra Helix 250 T2 is already demonstrating its superior performance for small part weight with difficult to access gate location applications in both Individual Pneumatic and UltraSync actuations. The extended maintenance interval for leakage prone resins is providing additional value for the customer.
Award winning technology
The Ultra Helix 250 T2 received an award at the 2020 Plastics Industry – Ringier Technology Innovation Awards in the Mold and Component category. Contending products were evaluated based on their ability to improve product efficacy through technological innovation or provide new business opportunities for the market. Winners were selected by professionals from industry associations and scientific research institutions.
The features and benefits of the Ultra Helix 250 T2 make it the ideal solution for specialty and flip-top closures, small medical parts and multi-material parts with limited gate access.
https://www.husky.co/
Recyclingtech Doubles its Capacity with New Headquarters
The specialist in waste processing and shredding technology, founded in Austria in 1948, celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for its new factory premises on 18 September 2020. Strengthened by the successes of recent years and its solid corporate management, the company is investing in a new site covering over 45,000 square metres. In addition to a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the new headquarters will become an international Centre of Excellence for waste recovery and recycling – in keeping with the circular economy concept.
When the Lindner machine factory opened its doors in the 1940s, the company manufactured sawmill equipment. The big transformation happened in the late 80s and the company was one of the first started to delve into shredding and waste processing – Lindner Recyclingtech was born. Today, 72 years later, recycling and the sustainable use of resources are among the pressing issues of our time and the Spittal-based family business is one of the world’s leading companies when it comes to turning waste into a valuable resource.
‘At the moment, the industry is undergoing a major change. Recycling rates and quality requirements for end materials are constantly rising and so we are continuing to develop new systems. Systems that enable our clients to meet these requirements,’ explains CEO and owner Manuel Lindner during the ground-breaking ceremony at the future Spittal-Ost headquarters. ‘To ensure that we can continue to do this efficiently, we are doubling our capacity and relying on the latest production technologies that meet industry 4.0 standards.’
Besides a robot-assisted manufacturing facility and a modern logistics centre, an academy focusing on recycling technology will be built on the 45,000 square metre site. As Michael Lackner, Managing Director, states: ‘We were one of the industry’s pioneers and accumulated an enormous amount of application expertise. Today, we see ourselves not only as a machine manufacturer and technology partner, but also as a source of knowledge for our clients. That’s why it is so important to us to constantly expand this know-how, develop new solutions and systematically prepare and pass on the knowledge gained. We are looking forward to welcoming you soon to the new home of recycling.’
www.lindner.com
The first flexible acrylic sheet ShieldUp Flex
The flexible acrylic sheet, ShieldUp Flex, gives designers greater freedom to shape their 2D pieces and simplifies the manufacturing processes. Lalou Roucayrol attests to this with his new trimaran, Arkema 4, the glazings use ShieldUp Flex acrylic glass. A wonderful example for this world premiere, paving the way into many other markets.
A major innovation in the world of transparent flexible plastic, ShieldUp Flex acrylic sheet can be bent manually, without any thermoforming. This technical revolution saves time and money in the design of 2D curved pieces or other that demand flexible material. The Altuglas International research team, based at the Lacq Research Center (France), has managed to overcome a key technological hurdle of PMMA, previously known for its rigidity. The sheet has been made flexible, without adding any plasticizers and without altering its properties. Additionally,its material is extremely chemical and impact resistant, making this patented innovation the ideal solution for projects that require transparency, durability, lightweight, shock resistance and flexibility.
Lalou Roucayrol, the shipbuilder of the Arkema 4, the group’s new Multi50-class trimaran, was specifically looking for this unprecedented combination of benefits for the boat’s glazings (roof and cockpit):
- perfect visibility and very strong shock resistance under extreme weather conditions, to enhance skipper safety
- a significant weight reduction, to further the constant pursuit of improved boat performance levels, thanks to the use of a thinner sheet
- easy window installation.
ShieldUp Flex sheet satisfied all of those expectations, in particular its implementation: simplified processing through the complete elimination of the thermoforming step. This allowed the designers to manually bend the cut sheet to the desired dimensions and glue it directly to the boat. As Lalou puts it, “ShieldUp Flex was THE product we’d been waiting for: reduced weight, better resistance and, above all, flexible implementation without the need for a long and painstaking thermoforming phase. Thank you Flex!”
No possibility of mistakes and precious time saved on projects! This is a terrific example of one application of this world premiere, on board of the Arkema 4 trimaran, to whose crew we wish fair winds!
Over and above its easy implementation, the new flexible acrylic sheet, ShieldUp Flex, also opens up new design possibilities for 2D curved pieces. We will find it used in traditional PMMA applications like vehicle glazings (RVs, boats, cars, motorcycles, etc.), but also in industrial glazings, signage, lighting, interior architecture and design, as well as COVID-secure protective screens. There is no doubt that this kind of innovation will pave the way for new applications, be they in electronics (smart object screens) or personal protective equipment, a field that is more relevant today than ever.
https://www.altuglas.com
Spectrum Plastics Group increases Sterile Medical Flexible Packaging capabilities with its acquisition of PeelMaster Medical Packaging
Spectrum Plastics Group –the market leading specialty medical packaging, component and contract manufacturer, has closed on the acquisition of PeelMaster Medical Packaging Corporation (“PeelMaster”).
Based in Niles, Illinois, PeelMaster is a full-service converter of sterile flexible packaging to the medical device market. Founded in 1989, PeelMaster produces pouches, header bags and die cut lids for medical applications.
PeelMaster has been an Authorized Converter of DuPont™ Tyvek® since its inception and, with the acquisition, Spectrum Plastics Group has also been granted Authorized Converter status from DuPont.
“The addition of PeelMaster advances our position as a custom, scalable flexible packaging supplier for the medical device sector. Their focus on quality and customer service fit squarely with Spectrum Plastics Group’s commitment to providing our customers with a first-rate experience,” says John Wolf, President, Films Division. “Additionally, we are very pleased to partner with DuPont as an Authorized Converter of Tyvek® to continue providing superior sterile packaging to the healthcare industry.”
Bill Sieck, President of PeelMaster, remarks, “This is a great day for PeelMaster Medical Packaging and we are pleased to join Spectrum Plastics Group. The two companies complement one another very well, and we are thrilled to have found such a partner to carry PeelMaster forward in the years to come.”
https://www.spectrumplastics.com
Message in a bottle’ tracks plastic pollution
Electronic tags released in the Ganges river show plastic pollution can travel thousands of kilometres in just a few months.
Researchers put GPS and satellite tags in plastic bottles in the Ganges and the Bay of Bengal.
The maximum distance tracked was 2,845km (1,768 miles) in 94 days.
The study, led by researchers from the University of Exeter and ZSL (the Zoological Society of London), was conducted as part of the National Geographic Society’s Sea to Source: Ganges expedition.
“Our ‘message in a bottle’ tags show how far and how fast plastic pollution can move,” said lead author Dr Emily Duncan, of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on Exeter’s Penryn Campus in Cornwall.
“It demonstrates that this is a truly global issue, as a piece of plastic dropped in a river or ocean could soon wash up on the other side of the world.”
In general, bottles in the Ganges moved in stages, occasionally getting stuck on their way downstream.
Bottles at sea covered far greater distances, following coastal currents at first but then dispersing more widely.
The study used 25 500ml bottles with size, shape and buoyancy intended to mimic the movement of any plastic bottle.
Alasdair Davies, of conservation technology organisation Arribada and ZSL, said: “The hardware inside each plastic bottle is entirely open source, ensuring that researchers can replicate, modify or enhance the solution we presented to track other plastics or environmental waste.
“Embedding electronics inside plastic bottles also presented a unique opportunity to use both cellular and satellite transmitters, ensuring we could track the movement of each bottle through urban waterways where mobile phone networks were available, switching to satellite connectivity once the bottles reached the open ocean.”
The researchers hope the bottle tags could be a “powerful tool” for education, raising awareness and encouraging behaviour change.
Dr Duncan said: “This could be used to teach about plastic pollution in schools, with children able to see where their bottle goes.
“Data from these tags could feed into global models to give us a clearer picture of how plastic moves across the ocean and where it ends up.”
The research team included the universities of Plymouth (UK), Dhaka (Bangladesh) and Georgia (USA), and technology consultancy Icoteq Ltd.
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/
ProAmpac Acquires Rosenbloom Groupe Inc., Hymopack Ltd. and Dyne-A-Pak
Enhances Manufacturing Capabilities and Broadens Packaging Product Offerings for Grocery, Retail and Quick Service Restaurant Customers
ProAmpac, a leader in flexible packaging, today announced that it has acquired Rosenbloom Groupe Inc., Hymopack Ltd. and Dyne-A-Pak, private businesses based in Canada that manufacture packaging products. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Rosenbloom Groupe, Hymopack Ltd. and Dyne-A-Pak are leading suppliers to North American retailers, grocery chains and quick service restaurants (QSR), as well as wholesale distribution companies, specializing in the manufacturing of paper bags, plastic bags and can liners, and foam packaging trays. With this acquisition, ProAmpac expands its manufacturing capabilities and broadens the product offering it provides to retail, grocery and QSR customers.
Greg Tucker, CEO of ProAmpac, said, “All of us at ProAmpac have deep respect for the legacy and long history of excellence of the Rosenbloom Group of companies. We are pleased to add this strong business to our platforms, which enhances our presence in Canada and allows us to broaden our product offering in the United States. With the Rosenbloom, Dyne-A-Pak and Hymopack brands as part of the ProAmpac family, we will deliver even greater value and services to our customers.”
Richard Rosenbloom of Rosenbloom Groupe said, “As a third-generation family business, it was important for us to partner with an organization that understands our values and respects our culture. The ProAmpac team has demonstrated an appreciation for our history and I look forward to working collaboratively with Greg as we seamlessly bring our organizations together. Our capabilities are highly complementary with ProAmpac’s operations, and I am confident this combination will deliver compelling value to our customers and exciting opportunities for our team.”
Gerry Maldoff, President of Hymopack, added, “With the expanded resources, scale and combination with ProAmpac, our business will be well-positioned for growth. I am excited to work with ProAmpac to enhance our plastic packaging and manufacturing capabilities and provide a broader product offering to a growing base of grocery, retail, distribution and QSR customers.”
Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and other co-investors. With the addition of the Rosenbloom Groupe, ProAmpac has 35 sites globally, with nearly 4,600 employees supplying more than 5,000 customers in 90 countries. ProAmpac manufactures flexible packaging for various consumer, healthcare, e-commerce, retail and industrial goods markets. Rosenbloom Groupe’s brands will continue in Canada and will maintain operations at its manufacturing facilities.
Chris Trick, Investment Partner at Pritzker Private Capital, said, “We are excited to welcome Rosenbloom Groupe to the ProAmpac and Pritzker Private Capital families. We look forward to our continued partnership with Greg and the entire ProAmpac team as the company continues to deliver the best possible products and services to its customers.”
https://www.proampac.com/