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Uflex Showcases Innovative Product Offerings in Q3 FY24

Uflex Showcases Innovative Product Offerings in Q3 FY24

In the third quarter of fiscal year 2024, UFlex Limited introduced a multitude of innovative products across its business verticals. The company also achieved notable recognition by winning multiple awards and securing patents in the quarter ended December 31, 2023.

Packaging Films Business

  1. B-INM-M, Superior Barrier Metallized BOPP Film: This film stands out as a premier choice for various packaging needs. Inline-coated and metallised, it offers an exceptional oxygen barrier (OTR) of less than 01 cc/m2/day and boasts an excellent moisture barrier (WVTR) of less than 0.1 g/m2/day. With superior metal bond strength and cost-effective attributes, it is engineered for recyclability. This versatile film finds its application in a multitude of sectors including dry beverages, chips and snacks, health and beauty care sachets, detergents, and confectionery products. Its triple structure versatility allows it to replace aluminium foil and metallized PET, offering convenience and efficiency. It caters to diverse packaging requirements, ranging from 2-ply extrusion applications to single-layer pouches and sachets. The film includes features like both-side treatment and one side for metallization; hybrid composition with one side emphasizing high heat seal strength and the other side for metallization, and thicker micron options (30/40) with one side low SIT and the other side for metallization, making it an indispensable solution for a wide array of packaging applications.

 

  1. C-CPM-ML-M, CPP metallized film:This film is tailored specifically for molasses packing, constituting a functional raw material that excels in various aspects. Recognized for its good seal integrity, this film ensures that contents remain securely enclosed, preserving freshness and quality. Boasting commendable barrier properties, it shields against external elements, maintaining the integrity of the packaged molasses. Its exceptional hot tack facilitates efficient sealing processes, enhancing productivity and reliability. Moreover, the filmexhibits good metal adhesion.

 

  1. The C-CBP-WG CPP film:This film stands as a functional raw material designed to meet stringent packaging demands. Renowned for its exceptional optical properties, this film ensures clear visibility and presentation of packaged goods, enhancing product appeal. With low slip characteristics tailored for high-speed packaging environments, it ensures smooth handling and reliable performance throughout the packaging process. Notably, it boasts excellent drop impact strength, providing robust protection against potential damage during handling and transportation. Primarily engineered for low ambient temperature conditions, this film finds its niche in bread packaging, frozen foods, and bakery products, where maintaining product quality and integrity is paramount. Its versatility makes it a preferred choice for businesses seeking packaging solutions that combine performance and practicality.                                           
  2. The B-UTX ultra high barrier Alox BOPP film:This film is a top-tier Alox-coated product crafted from BOPP, serving as a functional raw material in the packaging industry. Renowned for its outstanding barrier properties, it excels in shielding contents from gases, oxygen (less than 1 cc/m2/day), and aromas, ensuring prolonged freshness and quality retention. Additionally, its exceptional moisture barrier (less than 1 gm/m2/day) effectively safeguards against humidity and moisture ingress, preserving the integrity of packaged goods. The film’s superior optics contribute to clear and visually appealing packaging presentations. Notably, its clear vacuum coating enhances its functionality and versatility across various applications. Tailored for dry foods, beverage powders, chips, snacks, biscuits, cookies, and crackers packaging, it meets the diverse needs of the food industry, ensuring optimal preservation and presentation of packaged products. The B-UTX film is a testament to innovation and quality, offering a reliable solution for businesses seeking high-performance packaging materials.                                                                                                               
  3. The B-UMB-M, an outstanding barrier metallized BOPP film:This film stands at the forefront of metallized films, offering unparalleled performance and versatility. Boasting exceptional oxygen (less than 0.1 cc/m2/day) and moisture barrier (less than 0.1 gm/m2/day) properties, it ensures prolonged freshness and quality retention of packaged goods. Furthermore, its exceptional barrier to aroma and migration barrier against mineral oil enhance product protection and integrity. With excellent metal adhesion, it guarantees secure bonding and durability. This film serves as a sustainable and recyclable solution, offering a chlorine-free alternative to PVDC-coated films and replacing aluminum foil while supporting eco-friendly practices. Its ease of processing at high speeds makes it ideal for various packaging applications, including dry fruits, beverages, chips, snacks, biscuits, cookies, crackers, confectionery, and chocolate packaging. The B-UMB-M film epitomizes innovation and reliability, catering to the diverse needs of the packaging industry while upholding sustainability standards.

Chemicals Business

  1. Flexcure SF “Nutri” for NPH (Nutrition, Pharma and Hygiene) applications: Flexcure SF “Nutri” series represents a new generation radical mechanism designed especially for food packaging, pharma, and hygiene applications; for a wide range of substrates like paper, paper board and Met PET board, etc. suitable for processing with all latest generation high-speed UV sheetfed offset printing machines. The inks provided are specifically designed for application on the non-food contact side of food packaging, ensuring compliance with relevant Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and guidelines outlined in the Technical Data Sheet (TDS). Offering outstanding printability and transfer characteristics, these inks boast superior adhesion and maintain a controlled ink-water balance even at high speeds. With excellent curing properties and high colour strength coupled with minimal misting, they guarantee optimal results. Furthermore, they adhere to stringent standards, including EuPIA and Swiss ordinance guidelines, ensuring the lowest migration and odor levels. Free from harmful substances like BP, ITX, and silicon, these inks are available in a variety of colours, including process colours, white, and all base colours, catering to diverse packaging needs.               
  2. Flexgreen “HFS Screen” coating for all packaging applications: The Flexgreen product series represents a new generation of our LED inks and coatings for various print applications. Flexgreen “HFS Screen” coating is a free-radical chemistry-based UV LED varnish to be applied by screen printing specially designed to print on papers, cards, and cardboard. It is a highly flexible LED coating with excellent curing capabilities on automatic/semi-automatic screen-printing machines with LED lamps of wavelength 385-395 nm. Achieving high adhesion on challenging materials like PE or PP laminates and offset inks, this product stands out for its exceptional performance. Its cured film exhibits remarkable flexibility, allowing for precise die-cutting post-application. With outstanding foil receptivity and good resistance to nails and scratches, it ensures durability and longevity. The curing process, operating within the 385-395 nm wavelength band, is consistently excellent. Furthermore, it results in an impeccably even, smooth surface with a glossy finish, free from any odor or yellowing. Notably, this product is free from harmful substances such as BP and ITX, emphasizing its commitment to safety and quality.
  3. Marine Lam Inks (water-based reverse lamination inks): Marine Lam Inks are meticulously crafted for Gravure to reverse printing applications, specifically tailored for BOPP and chemical-coated polyester films, presenting a low VOC solution aligned with the ecological demands of today’s society. These inks boast exceptional characteristics, including high strength coupled with low viscosity, facilitating smooth printing operations. They excel in printability and dot transfer, ensuring precise and vivid results. Notably, they exhibit outstanding adhesion on BOPP and CC PET, along with impressive bond strength values compatible with both solvent-free and solvent-based adhesives. With low VOC content, these inks emit minimal odor, enhancing working conditions. Moreover, they enable efficient printing speeds, making them a preferred choice for diverse printing needs.

 

  1. FLEXBON R110A / FLEXBON R110C:The product is ingeniously formulated using reverse chemistry principles, where the NCO serves both as an adhesive and a hardener, accelerating the curing process. This unique approach ensures a higher crosslinking density within the polymer, resulting in expedited curing compared to conventional methods. Notably, the   adhesive demonstrates excellent run-ability, facilitated by a low quantity of NCO components that contribute to rapid primary amine decay. Its standout features include faster decay of primary aromatic amines, establishing exceptional bonds even on metalized films, and boasting impressive bond and seal strength. Furthermore, it exhibits superior wettability on challenging substrates, rendering it a cost-effective and environmentally conscious solution. Its greener chemistry, characterized by low consumption of Isocyanate, underscores its commitment to sustainability and innovation in adhesive technology.

 

 

Flexible Packaging Business

  1. Peelable PE Solution:A specially engineered peelable PE solution has been developed to meet the stringent demands of the Food and Beverages industry, ensuring both leak-proof performance and easy opening functionality. This innovative solution features a structured composition comprising 12 mic PET, 12 mic Met PET and 75 mic peelable natural PE. Specifically designed to cater to the unique requirements of food packaging, this peelable PE material offers exceptional sealing properties while also allowing for effortless opening. The customer, equipped with PP trays and utilizing both 12-track and 20-track machines, benefits from the versatility and reliability of this specialized packaging solution, streamlining their production processes and ensuring product integrity throughout the supply chain.
  1. Packaging for Savlon Hand wash powder:UFlex has recently forayed into the packaging of the Savlon Hand Wash Powder by ITC. The product specifications entail utilizing 12 PET/ 30 PE WHITE for packaging, ensuring high-quality and reliable containment of the hand wash powder. This collaboration underscores UFlex’s commitment to providing innovative and effective packaging solutions for well-established brands.

 

Holography Business

  1. HSF in lower gauge/ thickness – Textile grade/Graphic grade and cold foil:High gloss hot stamping foil (HSF) works great for precise applications and defined patterns in small areas. Cold foil, on the other hand, is the perfect product for large areas, such as moderate or full coverage of sheet labels, stickers and folding cartons etc. The USP of these products is their fine definition application and versatility of adhesion on various printed and lacquered surfaces at lower temperature ranges. This saves energy consumption during application. Also, this high-speed stamping foil helps users to have more productivity and save time as well as costs. Due to its lower thickness, these foils provide higher film volume thus higher coverage of the material compared to traditional products available in the market. Available in numerous colours, these competitive-cost products have created a new segment in the market that provides a win-win situation to the manufacturer/ producer and end user of the product.
  1. Holographic Alu-Alu foil for pharma:The successful commercial launch of the product — the Holographic Alu-Alu Blister marks a substantial leap forward in raising industry benchmarks in pharmaceutical packaging solutions. The Holographic Alu-Alu Blister serves as a prominent manifestation of UFlex’s steadfast commitment to pushing the boundaries within the industry in terms of Brand Protection through covert features.The introduction of the Holographic Alu-Alu Blister has undeniably created an impact on the market. This product anticipates sustained growth as pharmaceutical companies increasingly recognize the inherent value of Anti-counterfeiting solutions. The company is resolute in their commitment to innovation, ensuring that it consistently meets and exceeds the evolving needs of its esteemed clients.

Printing Cylinders Business

This business continues to manufacture cylinders compatible with sustainable inks, particularly water-based inks.

Engineering Business

  1. Double Head Coating-1650:The Engineering Business of UFlex has been rising to the occasion to meet the ever-increasing demand of the market including in-house. In the recent past, there has been an increase in the demand for coating machines. The engineering business designed and developed the coating machines to cover web widths ranging up to 2500mm. One such machine of 1650mm width with double head has been supplied recently. The objective of the machines is to apply coatings spread over a range of thicknesses and carriers also.  To meet the huge demand, various types of coating methods have been incorporated namely; gravure coating, reverse gravure coating with a gap, reverse gravure coating with kiss and kiss coating with a smoothing bar. Further ceramic IR heaters are very well used as preheaters before the film enters the dryer hood. In the double head coating both the heads have been made considering various demands as the first head comprises 5 drying cabinets and the second has 8 drying cabinets. Necessary safety precautions have been duly taken care of by way of using the LEL system. Additional features include floor lifting unwind and rewind, sleeve-type impression rollers, and chamber doctor blades to name a few. Riding high on the features and with the support of Corona Treaters, the machine is capable of coating right from a very thin coating of 0.2 GSM to a thick coating of 6 GSM guaranteeing smooth and even coating across the film width adding value to the substrates.

Awards and Accreditations:

  • The UFlex Chemicals business has been awarded a certificate of Merit in the Dyes and Pigments Sector, by The Ministry of Power at the National Energy Conservation Awards (NECA)2023.
  • The R&D lab of the Packaging Films Business known as the Testing and Research Centre (TARC) has been accredited with ISO / IEC 17025: 2017 in accordance with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)

 

Patents and Copyrights:

  • The UFlex Packaging Films business has been granted a patent for its innovative research methodology to develop formable films, laminate structures, and related methods (Patent No.: 440790).
  • The UFlex Packaging Films business has been granted a patent for its innovative research methodology to develop high-barrier polyethylene terephthalate film (Patent No.: 363620).
  • The UFlex Packaging Films business has been granted a patent for a new innovative product, ‘Monolayer PET Blister Forming Film’ (Patent No.: 473335).
  • The UFlex Packaging Films business has been granted a patent for its innovative research methodology to develop formable films, laminate structures, and related methods (Patent No.: 482775).
  • The UFlex Aseptic Packaging business has been granted the patent for ‘An aseptic liquid packaging container’ (Patent No.:2022/13179).
  • The UFlex Engineering business has been granted copyright for ‘An ink trolley quick change over system for rotogravure printing machine station’ (Registration No.: A-148758/2023).
  • The UFlex Engineering business has been granted a copyright for the innovation of an ‘Improved collar type vertical form fill seal machine with an auto splicer’ (Registration No.: A-147882/2023).
  • The UFlex Engineering business has been granted copyright for an innovative product, ‘Continuous motion multi-track high-speed vertical form fill seal machine (Registration No.: A-147374/2023).

https://www.uflexltd.com/

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Rosler Uk To Showcase Broad Range Of Finishing Solutions At Mach 2024

Rosler Uk To Showcase Broad Range Of Finishing Solutions At Mach 2024

Rösler UK is delighted to announce that it will be exhibiting on stand 6-540 at the upcoming MACH 2024 exhibition 15-19 April in Birmingham. Committed to driving innovation and creating value for UK manufacturers, Rösler is excited to show attendees an array of finishing solutions for traditionally produced and additively manufactured parts and components which represent best-in-class solutions for a range of industrial applications.

Expert in shot blasting and mass finishing technologies as well as bespoke post-processing solutions for Additive Manufacturing (AM), the company will be showing it RMBC 2.1 Tumble Belt Blast Machine, its R220EC Rotary Vibrator with R250 Dryer, and two AM post-processing solutions.

Colin Spellacy, Head of Sales at Rösler UK says, “Rösler has been a prominent player in the mass finishing and shot blasting arena for over 80 years, providing solutions across a range of industry sectors including technologies for exacting medical and aerospace applications. Our impressive track record isn’t just about our longevity, however, it’s a story of accumulating profound knowledge and expertise that only come with time served. What sets Rösler apart is its family ownership, which means the company is all about playing the long game, focusing on what really matters — building solid, lasting relationships with clients by truly understanding and evolving with their needs rather than focusing on short term financial gains. This customer-first, quality-obsessed approach has made Rösler a go-to ally for anyone looking for unmatched finishing precision, reliability, and quality. For often complex and demanding applications, Rösler stands as a beacon of trust, proving time and again that when it comes to mass finishing, shot blasting, and bespoke AM Solutions, we are here to lead the way and drive innovation.”

Rösler’s RMBC Tumble Belt Blast Machine which will be on display at MACH is essentially for de-sanding, descaling, de-rusting, deburring and creating homogeneous surface finishes, and is characterised by perfect cleaning of difficult-to-reach surface areas, high equipment uptime, high process stability, and consistent shot blasting results. The R220EC Rotary Vibrator, also on display, has an inbuilt separation system, is designed for processing batch parts, and is perfect for all metal finishing applications from deburring to polishing. Being shown alongside these traditional finishing machines, attendees will also find two AM post processing technologies, the M1 Basic and the S1 Wet. The M1 Basic promotes superior surface finish of metal or plastic AM parts in a cost-effective and repeatable fashion, and demonstrates how mass finishing technologies excel in eliminating layer lines, burrs, and other surface imperfections on AM parts, resulting in a flawless finish that enhances both aesthetics and functionality. The S1 Wet is a versatile wet-blasting solution for cleaning and finishing surfaces on metal and plastic parts and demonstrates perfectly the usefulness of shot blasting technologies for AM parts.

Spellacy continues, “We are excited to show attendees at MACH 2024 just what it is that sets our mass finishing and shot blasting technologies apart across all industry sectors

For the UK market, as indeed globally, we offer an extensive sales and service support network offering local expertise and quick responses to customer needs, especially important for applications requiring timely project execution and rapid maintenance responses. Rösler is also truly vertically integrated, manufacturing all machines in-house without third-party components, and this guarantees the highest quality standards — essential in industries where precision is non-negotiable. Emphasising automated and turnkey solutions, Rösler caters to the modern demand for efficiency and precision, offering a comprehensive package from design to installation, ensuring minimal error and maximum throughput. As a one-stop-shop for machine and media supplies with a strong post-sale care focus, the company also simplifies procurement, providing ongoing value through maintenance and training, and fosters long-term partnerships, underscoring its commitment to reliable and long-lasting solutions for its customers.”

MACH 2024 visitors are invited to come and see Rösler’s traditional and AM finishing solutions on stand 6-540, and to discuss with the team how the company’s blend of advanced technical capabilities, extensive industry knowledge, and commitment to innovation can enhance their manufacturing endeavours.

www.solutions-for-am.com

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Syensqo Launches Transfoamer Product Line, the Mining Industry’s First “Switchable” Frothers

Syensqo Launches Transfoamer Product Line, the Mining Industry’s First “Switchable” Frothers

The novel technology addresses persistent copper recovery challenges, supporting demand growth spurred by electrification

Princeton, February 14, 2024 – Syensqo, previously part of Solvay group, announces the launch of its Transfoamer product line, the first groundbreaking frother innovation in more than 65 years. Well suited for coarse particle recovery, Transfoamer frothers are based on a novel technology that changes froth strength in response to pH, leading to more efficient copper recovery from even the most challenging ores, a critical need as copper demand grows in response to electrification and the energy transition.

“As ore grades decline, many mining companies are grinding coarser particles to push tonnage or save energy,” says Ricardo Capanema, Global Marketing and Business Development Director, Mining Solutions at Syensqo. “Mines often use a blend of strong and weak frothers, which results in a steady froth but prevents the frother from performing at peak potential. Our new single-frother solution addresses this limitation and overfrothing issues common in the cleaner stage.”

Transfoamer frothers start as strong and robust frothers in the rougher circuit. Then, in response to pH, they “switch” to weaker frothers in the cleaner circuit, where less froth is needed. This unique property is particularly attractive for use in bulk copper and molybdenum flotation. For more challenging ore types, Transfoamer frothers can be further tailored with the Syensqo Cube connected dosing unit to optimize efficiency and recovery. Additionally, Transfoamer frothers do not build up or recirculate, which improves circuit stability.

Syensqo’s Transfoamer technology is already in use commercially in Latin America, where its ability to promote fast kinetics and mobility of value minerals has resulted in improvements to throughput, recovery and energy consumption. Transfoamer products are also available in North America as well as in parts of Asia-Pacific, and will be introduced in other regions as demand arises.

To learn more about Transfoamer frothers, visit Syensqo at booth 1109 during MINEXCHANGE, the 2024 SME Annual Conference and Expo, from February 25 to 28 in Phoenix, Arizona.

https://www.syensqo.com/en/

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World’s First Pilot Plant for Bio-Based Aniline

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World’s First Pilot Plant for Bio-Based Aniline

  • Significant step toward producing plastics based on plant biomass.
  • New process for petroleum-free raw material on its way to industrial maturity.
  • Another milestone in the promotion of the Circular Economy accomplished.

Covestro is moving forward with the implementation of a unique process for producing the important chemical aniline entirely based on plant biomass instead of petroleum for the first time. At its Leverkusen site, the plastics manufacturer has now put a special pilot plant into operation for this purpose. Initially, large quantities of bio-based aniline will be produced there, so that the new technology can be further developed for production and transferred to an industrial scale. In the plastics industry, aniline is used to produce MDI, among other things. This in turn is used for insulating foam, for example, which saves energy in buildings and reduces the CO2 footprint. Covestro believes it will contribute to the promotion of the Circular Economy, which the company is aiming to become fully aligned with.

In attendance at the opening ceremony were North-Rhine Westphalia’s Deputy Minister President Mona Neubaur as well as Professor Walter Leitner, Managing Director of the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Mülheim an der Ruhr. Together with Dr. Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer of Covestro, they discussed the significance of bio-based raw materials for a sustainable chemicals industry of the future.

“Among other things, aniline is a key raw material for foams used to insulate buildings and refrigerators,” explained Dreier, on the significance of the base chemical. “Until now, aniline has been produced from fossil raw materials such as petroleum, which releases CO2 and fuels climate change. With our new process, we are contributing to building up a circular, bio-based economy, and I am very proud that we have now succeeded in making the jump to the next technological level.”

Covestro developed the process, which has already won several awards, together with partners in the scientific community. Compared to conventional technology, the process leads to a greatly improved CO2 footprint of aniline. Covestro has made a seven-digit investment in the pilot plant at the Chempark Leverkusen.

“Sustainable innovations from North Rhine-Westphalia are making a decisive contribution to the transformation of Germany as a chemical location. The world’s first pilot plant for bio-based aniline is an impressive example of this,” emphasized Neubaur, who is also the State Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy. “In order for the industry to continue on its path towards a circular economy and climate neutrality, it needs planning and investment security above all. As the state government, we are therefore working hard to ensure that North Rhine-Westphalia remains an attractive business location and becomes the first climate-neutral industrial region in Europe.”

Professor Leitner also underlined the importance of partnerships. “The project illustrates the cooperation between research-based industry and application-oriented science. There are many intersecting partnerships like these, especially in NRW. Germany needs more of this in order to assert itself as a research and technology location.”

Use of biotechnology

The project also clearly showcases the potential contribution of the industrial (“white”) biotechnology to plastics production: in the new process, a customized microorganism helps convert an industrial sugar extracted from plants into an intermediate product through fermentation. This takes place under milder and thus more environmentally compatible conditions than in conventional processes. In a second step, chemical catalysis of the intermediate product then creates the aniline with one hundred percent plant-based carbon.

The research on bio-based aniline will also continue to be funded by the German government. The German Ministry for Food and Agriculture is funding a follow-up project (Bio4PURDemo) from Covestro and partners, which started in March 2022 and runs until 2025.
The RWTH Aachen with the CAT Catalytic Center and the University of Stuttgart, as well as the technology transfer initiative located there, are also participating in the project.

Around six million tons of aniline are currently produced worldwide, with the volume growing by approximately three to five percent per year on average. With a production capacity of more than one million tons per year, Covestro is one of the leading aniline producers.

Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia and Deputy Prime Minister

Mona_Neubaur_Ministerin-Wirtschaft-Industrie-Klimaschutz
Mona Neubaur

Mona Neubaur, born in Pöttmes in 1977, came to North Rhine-Westphalia from Bavaria in 1997 and quickly made herself at home in the Rhineland. After graduating with a degree in education in 2003, she first worked in the energy industry and then at the Heinrich Böll Foundation NRW, including four years as Managing Director.

From 2014 to 2022, she was state chairwoman of the Greens in North Rhine-Westphalia. In December 2021, Mona Neubaur was elected top candidate for the 2022 state elections. She has been a member of the North Rhine-Westphalian state parliament since May 15, 2022. On June 29, 2022, she was sworn in as Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy. At the same time, she was appointed by Minister President Hendrik Wüst as his deputy.

 

Managing Director Molecular Catalysis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion

Walter_Leitner_Director-Molecular-Catalysis-Max-Planck-Institute
Prof. Dr. Walter Leitner

Walter Leitner is Director at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion in Mülheim/Ruhr and Professor of Technical Chemistry and Petrochemistry at RWTH Aachen University. He is one of the initiators of the Catalysis Center CAT, a joint research facility of RWTH Aachen University and Covestro.

His research interests include catalysis, from its molecular foundations to reaction engineering concepts, in the context of “green chemistry”. The main focus of his scientific work is the development of novel catalysts and processes for the storage and use of renewable energy in the form of chemical energy carriers and products. His team’s basic research aims to use the “decarbonization” of energy generation to “defossilize” the chemical value chain.

Walter Leitner is the author and co-author of more than 400 scientific publications. He is co-speaker of the Cluster of Excellence “The Fuel Science Center” at RWTH Aachen University and of the BMBF-funded Kopernikus project “Power-to-X”. Together with Dr. Christoph Gürtler, Covestro AG, he was among the three finalists for the European Inventor Award (2021) and the Deutscher Zukunftspreis (2019) for his research on the use of CO2 as a raw material.

 

Chief Technology Officer and Labor Director Covestro AG

Thorsten_Dreier_Chief-Technology-Officer
Dr. Thorsten Dreier

Dr. Thorsten Dreier has been a member of Covestro’s Board of Management as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) since July 2023 and the company’s Labor Director since September 2023. As the company’s Chief Technology Officer, he is responsible for the central functions Process Technology, Engineering, Group Health, Safety & Environment (Group HSE) and Group Procurement. He also coordinates the introduction of and compliance with global processes, standards and initiatives in Covestro’s production network.

Born in Münster in 1972, he studied chemistry and received his doctorate from the University of Münster in 2001. He began his career in 2002 as a laboratory manager in the Bayer Group and subsequently held various management positions at Bayer, Bayer Material Science and Bayer Technology Services. With the spin-off of Covestro, Dreier became Global Head of Production & Technology in the Coatings, Adhesives & Specialties business unit and later Global Head of the Specialty Films and Thermoplastic Polyurethanes businesses. Prior to his role on the Board of Management, he was Head of the Coatings & Adhesives business unit.

https://www.covestro.com/

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Largest-Ever Gulfood 2024 Drives Transformation, With Global Food Futurists to Point Where the Industry Goes Next 

Largest-Ever Gulfood 2024 Drives Transformation, With Global Food Futurists to Point Where the Industry Goes Next

Largest edition in almost 3 decades, with 5,500+ global F&B companies confirmed to exhibit

Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) has announced that Gulfood, the largest annual food and beverage sourcing event in the world, will take place from 19-23 February 2024, as the future of the food industry comes into focus. Gulfood continues to be the gold standard event for the global F&B community, with a record 5,500+ exhibitors and visitors from over 190 countries, and with a footprint spanning 24 halls.

International policymakers and F&B industry leaders have their sights firmly fixed on global food systems, and how they can be transformed to feed an ever-growing global population, while simultaneously building resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change, to avoid future crises. Innovations in ag-tech (a market set to almost double in size between now and 2030), the increasing use of AI in food production, reducing food loss and waste (which currently accounts for over a third of global food production), public-private partnerships, and investment in alternative proteins such as cultured meat can all help reduce food deprivation and feed the world through to 2050 and beyond.

“Gulfood will be the first opportunity in 2024 for the global F&B industry to convene, and gain insight from some of the world’s leading food futurists into where the global food industry goes next. Gulfood will be the only platform to identify the business opportunities and forge the business partnerships brought about as the industry enters a new era, defined by paradigm-shifting technology such as AI”, commented Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre.

“By accelerating innovation and speeding the spread of trends, technology has transformed the food market from end-to-end. The next decade will see this transformation continue. Technologies like AI will accelerate our understanding of human health, and influence consumer behaviour, and shifting demographic patterns will create new centres of cultural power. It’s a fascinating time to look to the future of food.” said Tom Cheesewright, Applied Futurist and Inspire Conference Speaker.

A SHOWCASE FOR REAL FOOD, A PLATFORM FOR REAL BUSINESS
Under the theme ‘Real Food, Real Business’, Gulfood 2024 will bring together global brands including: Agthia, Al Ain Dairy, Americana, Dilmah, Hype Beverages, Japan Farmed Fish Export Association, JBS, Lactalis, Meat & Poultry Ontario, Monin, Tilda, Wilmar – as well as thousands of new exhibitors – to showcase authentic food products, ingredients, and culinary practices, make real business connections and seal in excess of USD 12 billion in commercial deals. They will be joined by new country pavilions including: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Venezuela.

“Ghitha Holding, a subsidiary of International Holding Company PJSC (“IHC”), which owns 55 subsidiaries, 3 associates and 1 joint venture is thrilled to welcome the visitors and all business and government partners in the upcoming Gulfood 2024, as we see the region further boosting the economical trade between different verticals. As Gulfood is a place where F&B businesses innovate for a more brighter future, we are confident that Gulfood will be a fruitful place of collaboration and further business growth with focus on greater sustainability across the region”, commented Falal Ameen, CEO – Ghitha Holding.

BE INSPIRED BY F&B THOUGHT LEADERS

The Gulfood Inspire Conference will dive into a range of trending topics, including the tech-powered future of digitalisation, trailblazing innovations, the shift from linear to circular food systems, capitalising on investment and funding opportunities, and reimagining a global food system centred on food safety, security and transparency.

Over 200 ministers, global F&B leaders, entrepreneurs, futurists, chefs, scientists and academia from all facets of the industry will lead a series of engaging keynotes, panel discussions, fireside chats, showcases and workshops, providing insights into the future of the F&B industry and unlocking new opportunities for growth and competitiveness.

Confirmed speakers across the 5 days include: Gary Urteaga, Founder and President of Jenesiz Capital, and first investor in Nutrishake Andino (now Nutri.co), a foodtech startup specialising in R&D of nutritional snacks using Andean cereals and superfoods like quinoa and amaranth. CTO & Founding Director of Nourish Ingredients – Dr. Anna El Tahchy. Global Food Futurist & Food Scientist – Tony Hunter; Innovation Trends Futurist – Daniel Levine; Food Futurologist – Dr. Morgaine Gaye; Applied Futurist – Tom Cheesewright; Bill McDowell, VP of the Institute of Food Technologists; Dr. Miray Zaki, MD and Head of Sustainability Investments at Gulf Capital, Supply Chain Technology Expert – Erin Grover, Raymond Tham K W, Founder and MD of Mycrocell and many more.

MICHELIN STAR CHEFS MAKE DUBAI DEBUT IN WORLD’S LARGEST LIVE CHEF SHOWCASE
Popular feature Top Table returns to Gulfood 2024, with a star-studded line-up of internationally renowned chefs showcasing traditional cooking methods, elevating authentic ingredients, and revealing the stories behind the world’s most beloved dishes.

Across the five days of Gulfood, over 100 chefs will present various cuisines across a series of masterclasses and chef talks. Top names participating in the programme include: Chef Alain Passard of L’Arpege, Chef Enrico Cerea of da Vittorio, Chef Joan Roca of El Celler de Can Roca, Chef Begona Rodrigo of La Salita, chef Mark Donald of The Glenturret and chef Pepe Solla of Sola restaurant. Home-grown talent includes: Chef Akira Back of Akira Back in Dubai, and Chef Vladimir Mukhin of White Rabbit Krasota in Dubai. This year’s theme highlights the union of heritage and traditional culinary practices with modern, trendsetting innovative techniques. For the first time ever, Top Table will host chefs with over 21 Michelin stars between them, in one exceptional live culinary showcase.

The Dubai World Cuisine movement, launched during the last edition of Gulfood, will also be back, with a series of city-wide dinner collaborations. Dubai World Cuisine provides a platform for homegrown chefs to collaborate harmoniously with culinary icons from around the world, shaping the cultural identity of Dubai and helping establish it on the world’s culinary map. Bringing exceptional talents from Europe, that will impart their legacy, heritage, and cultural richness through ancient and traditional cooking techniques, seamlessly merging them with modern and innovative approaches. Our aim is to bridge between the old and the new world, embracing sustainability in its culinary practices.

WATCH THE CULINARY STARS OF THE FUTURE

The YouthX Chef Challenge, a launchpad for empowering promising F&B talent with a career-changing experience, will also be back in an expanded, international format for its third edition at Gulfood 2024. The international grand finale of the third edition of the YouthX Challenge will pit teams from leading restaurants and hotels in the UAE (SLS and Atlantis The Palm), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Four Seasons Riyadh), Kenya, and the USA against each other for a chance to win an internship at an international 3-Michelin star restaurant. Last year’s winners recently completed a successful internship with Chef Heinz Beck at La Pergola in Rome.

Gulfood has garnered interest from top brands in Dairy, Beverage (category sponsor – Al Jameel Intl.), Fats & Oils, Pulses & Grains (category sponsor – Supple Tek), Meat & Poultry (category sponsor – Sadia), Power Brands (category sponsor – Ghitha), Ready-To-Eat (category sponsor – Hungritos), Bakery (category sponsor – Prima International), and World Food, to innovate for a more sustainable, thoughtful, and brighter future for the entire global F&B ecosystem across the world.

*Tickets for Gulfood are currently on sale at a special offer rate of AED 345 for a 5-day pass (instead of regular full price of AED 595) for a limited period only.

www.gulfood.com

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New Study Reveals That The Majority Of Senior Executives In The Fashion Industry Are Committed To Abolishing Plastic

New Study Reveals That The Majority Of Senior Executives In The Fashion Industry Are Committed To Abolishing Plastic 

A new study1 with 100 senior executives who work for fashion brands and retailers in the UK, US and Australia, by Aquapak Polymers Ltd, which specialises in polymer-based material technologies that can deliver both performance and environmental responsibility at scale, reveals that the majority (88%) plan to stop plastic in packaging altogether.  Some 8% are planning to abolish plastic within the next 12 months, 14% within one to two years, 19% within two to three years, 30% within three to four years and 28% within four to five years.

Almost half (48%) said that they are extremely concerned about their business’ use of polybags such as carrier and garment bags, the majority of which are used for merchandise bought on-line, and the damage they cause to the environment.  According to global innovation platform Fashion for Good, the fashion industry uses around 180 billion polybags every year.

The report showed that plastic use ranked third in the top factors impacting the environmental performance of their business, with only the energy efficiency of operations and the sourcing of merchandise which uses sustainable materials rated more important. 

The research also showed that of the steps taken to reduce the amount of plastic packaging used, 77% have folded items differently, 59% have removed unnecessary types of packaging and 46% have changed the packaging type.

To help reduce plastic packaging pollution Aquapak has developed Hydropol™, a unique new polymer which is soluble and non-toxic to marine life. Hydropol™can be used as an alternative to conventional plastic in a wide variety of applications as it provides the same functionality and performance but without the associated environmental problems.  It is currently used to make products such as garment bags, offering all the necessary features of traditional polybags: strength and puncture resistance; clarity of film; and protection from leakages and dirt. 

Crucially, Hydropol garment bags present zero end-of-life issues for consumers and brands. They can be disposed of in existing domestic waste streams without contaminating other recyclable products or they can be dissolved immediately in hot water at home without producing harmful micro-plastics. They are also compostable, and degrade harmlessly on land or in the ocean. 

Mark Lapping, CEO of Aquapak, comments: “Our study shows that there is a commitment at the highest level in the fashion industry to stop using plastic.  Brands and retailers are already taking steps to reduce their dependency on plastic packaging, but the pace of change could be much faster.  New materials exist which perform in exactly the same way as plastic, providing garment and merchandise protection but do not have any of the environmental problems associated with it. 

Aquapak is already working with several early-adopter fashion companies who are determined to drive a significant change in their industry by embracing upstream innovation in packaging. 

www.aquapakpolymers.com

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First-Ever Skateboard Half Pipe Successfully Built From Containerboard To Highlight Material Values

First-Ever Skateboard Half Pipe Successfully Built From Containerboard To Highlight Material Values 

Mondi, a global leader in sustainable packaging and paper, proudly unveils a fresh initiative to highlight the values of its containerboard materials that we use in our everyday lives. In partnership with Olympian skateboarder Julia Brückler, Mondi challenges myths around making paper through a fusion of innovation, sustainability and athleticism. 

The challenge was to build the first-ever skateboard half pipe from containerboard, the paper used in corrugated packaging. Why? Because it’s a fresh, analogous way of showing how containerboard is an ideal material that we rely on every day, and we are constantly on the lookout for the next generation of people who are passionate about paper. 

Unique collaboration: Olympian Julia Brückler takes the first ride

Julia’s passion for skateboarding aligns with Mondi’s commitment to excellence and, like the sport’s resilience, this project mirrors the meticulous processes of perfecting paper grades.

Professional skateboarder Julia Brückler, who debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, shares her excitement: “This was such a unique experience! It made me realise that we often take paper items used in our day-to-day lives for granted, not thinking about where they’re coming from or how they’re made. Discovering the details of paper packaging and how durable and strong the material can be during this project was eye-opening!”

Attracting the next generation of talent by explaining the values of paper packaging

At Mondi, our focus is on circular-driven solutions created by empowered people who are taking action on climate. We offer an environment where creativity and purpose converge – a workplace that continually pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. 

We have several world-leading containerboard paper mills with expert teams who make our containerboard product range. This containerboard paper is used to create corrugated solutions with nature-like strength and resilience. 

Markus Gärtner, CEO Corrugated Packaging at Mondi, comments, “This initiative is about inspiring people to see the value of our containerboard paper grades through a fresh perspective. Partnering with Olympian Julia Brückler was a great experience and it embodies our commitment to innovation, excellence and enjoying new challenges! Get in touch with us if you are looking for sustainable packaging solutions or a career full of potential.”

 

www.mondigroup.com

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Indonesia’s Packaging and Automotive Sectors Spur Demand for Plastics

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Indonesia’s Packaging and Automotive Sectors Spur Demand for Plastics

The industrial sector of Indonesia has been contributing to its overall economic growth, regardless of the upward momentum of its production in terms of volume and value in the past few years. Government incentives to investors, favorable business environment, significant improvement in technologies and skilled manpower are among the factors that encourage the expansion of industrial sector. In particular, the plastics industry in Indonesia is exhibiting sustained growth in the next few years owing to rising demand spurred by increase in consumer expenditure.

Indonesia’s huge population of 277 million has become an attractive consumer market with huge demand for consumer products.

 

With its huge population of 277 million, Indonesia has become an attractive consumer market and given the fast-paced changing lifestyles of buyers with higher disposable income, manufacturers are focused on meeting the requirements by building their production capabilities. Indonesia’s plastics market size was valued at US$8.63 billion in 2022 and is likely to each US$ 14.58 billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 6% during the forecast period 2023–2031, according to the projection by Growth Market Reports. Several important industries are crucial to Indonesia’s plastics industry – packaging, automotive and medical are experiencing rapid development.

Packaging sector takes major leaps towards circular economy

Indonesia’s packaging industry remains the major application of plastics. A report of Global Data states that the country’s packaging market size, valued at 151.3 billion units in 2022, is poised to register a CAGR of more than 3% during the period 2022-2027 with flexible packaging segment dominatingthe market share until 2027.

From a linear model, Indonesia’s packaging industry is fast moving towards a circular economy. This has been made more pronounced by the investments of leading companies into areas that will reduce, recycle and re-use plastics. As an economy battling huge plastic waste stockpile reaching 18.99 million tons per year based on Environment and Forestry Ministry data, Indonesia has placed circular economy as its main focus by implementing Golden Indonesia Vision 2045 which is the long-term national development plan. Thus, the utilization of recycled materials has become the goal of many Indonesian companies that plan to go through the route of circular economy route. This has brought huge opportunities to companies supplying advanced recycling solutions and sustainable materials. This has also opened new horizons to both Indonesian and foreign companies operating in Indonesia that a number of significant ventures into plastics manufacturing has been launched in the country’s various industrial centers.

Recycling factory of the Amandina Bumi Nusantara, a joint venture between Coca-Cola Europacific Partner and Dynapack Asia.

 

Coca-Cola in Indonesia has launched its new packaging made by 100% recycled PET (rPET), excluding caps and labels, in line with the vision of World Without Waste. Coca-Cola operates a recycling plant, Amandina Bumi Nusantara, located in Cikarang. The recycling plant, with capacity of 25,000 tons of PET per year, is a partnership between Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Indonesia and Dynapack Asia.  The production of bottles with 100% rPET content aims to accelerate the goal of reducing the use of conventional plastics and lowering carbon emissions.

Another development is the signing of the partnership agreement between Indonesian plastic recycler, Pan Era Group, and Milliken & Company which represents another milestone in the industry. The partnership combines Pan Era Group’s expertise in the collection and production of recycled PP plastic resin with Milliken’s additive technology solutions. Pan Era Group and Milliken will collaborate to promote a circular economy in Indonesia by utilizing Pan Era Group’s extensive local collection network to collect plastic waste and coupled with Milliken’s material science technology to produce recycled polypropylene resin. Further, this collaboration aims to improve the performance of transparent recycled PP resin and increase its market presence.

Coca-Cola Indonesia launched new packaging made by 100% recycled PET (rPET), excluding caps and labels, in line with its vision of World Without Waste.

 

Investments in materials for the packaging industry continue to pour into Indonesia, stressing its major role in the ASEAN region’s broad consumer market. BASF invested in the capacity expansion of polymer dispersions at its production site in Merak, Indonesia. The expansion is in line with the growing trend of high-quality packaging in ASEAN. It aims to bringing additional supply to fulfill the growing demand for acrylics and styrene-butadiene dispersions in the Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand markets. With proximity to the supply of key raw materials and the flexibility of producing both acrylic and styrene-butadiene dispersions, Merak is a crucial supply point to ensure stable production of paper coatings.

CJ BIO, a division of South Korea-based CJ CheilJedang, is now manufacturing polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) at its facility located in Pasuruan, Indonesia. CJ BIO uses its facility to enter the biomaterials sector with the goal of creating opportunities to reduce the impact of manufactured plastics on the environment. The facility has a rated capacity of 5,000 metric tons and focuses exclusively on manufacturing ‘amorphous’ PHAs (a-PHAs). Amorphous PHA is a softer, more rubbery (low glass transition temperature (Tg)) version of PHA that offers fundamentally different performance opportunities from crystalline or semi-crystalline forms of PHA. This material will impose immediate use as a modifier to other polymers and biopolymers to improve functional characteristics and biodegradability, enabling ‘cradle-to-grave’ solutions for the broad range of markets that generate plastic waste.

A bird’s-eye view of the battery system factory currently being built by Hyundai Mobis in Indonesia.

 

E-mobility trend spurs automotive production

Indonesia has gained the importance as an automotive center in the region with a growing number of companies engaged in this sector that are setting up their operations in the country. The country’s automotive companies are increasingly becoming focused on launching electric vehicles, and along with meeting trends such as lightweighting and enhanced safety and autonomy, bringing the dramatic demand for automotive plastics. Engineering plastics for the automotive industry are predominantly imported, but an increasing number of local manufacturers are improving their portfolio through partnership with foreign companies. It has been estimated that Indonesia’s automotive industry players will need around 200,000 tons of plastics yearly with less than half supplied by domestic companies.

The bright prospects for plastics in Indonesia’s automotive will be sustained by major foreign and domestics players. Leading automotive manufacturers with production facilities in Indonesia include Hyundai, Isuzu, Toyota, Daihatsu, Honda, Chery Motor, Wuling Motors and others. Local car manufacturers include Esemka, Fin Komodo, Tawon, Marlip, etc. Investments into Indonesia’s automotive industry have been on the rise, attracted by the large consumer base and excellent infrastructure.

EVs will dominate innovations as seen by focus of manufacturers. PT Neta Auto Indonesia (NAI), which introduced the Chinese-made Neta V electric car, announced its plan to build an assembly plant in Indonesia with local company PT Handal Indonesia Motor. The plan is to have Neta V model locally assembled in Indonesia in the form of completely knocked down (CKD). Another car manufacturer, Wuling Motors Indonesia launched the Wuling Bingo EV, its second electric vehicle (EV) model after the Air EV. The Bingo model is offered in two variants in Indonesia. Wuling Indonesia earlier unveiled its first EV, the Air EV as part of its bid to be a leading new energy automobile company worldwide. The first global launch of this model was held in Indonesia. Aside from Wuling, there are other Chinese EV manufacturers that expressed their interest to produce their models in Indonesia seeing the favorable policy of the government on EVs. The Indonesian government has set a target of the production of 600,000 electric vehicles by 2030.

Hyundai Mobis has also constructed an EV battery system plant in Indonesia. The company, which is part of the Hyundai Motor Group, is investing around US$60 million. Battery cells are secured from the local joint venture, HLI Green Power, and the finished battery system as a module will be supplied to the Hyundai Motor plant.

At CHINAPLAS 2024

Indonesian plastics manufacturers will witness a full range of new materials and high-tech processes to enable them to further enhance their production efficiency and profitability in the wake of fast-changing consumer preferences. The mega exhibition highlights the most advanced packaging technologies and environmental friendly materials to support the move towards a circular economy. A broad range of machinery, equipment and engineering plastics is also on exhibit to promote the development of the automotive industry.

www.ChinaplasOnline.com

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Covestro And Siemens Conclude Strategic Supplier Agreement

Covestro And Siemens Conclude Strategic Supplier Agreement 

  • Agreement simplifies cooperation between the companies
  • Framework for all business relationships over the next five years
  • Includes Siemens’ full range of services as a supplier to Covestro

Covestro and Siemens have concluded a strategic supplier agreement for the next five years. This framework agreement is the basis for all future business relationships that exist between the two companies in many different areas. The agreement is worth a high double-digit million euro amount and enables much faster and easier collaboration.

Until now, Covestro and Siemens have always concluded individual supply agreements for different material groups and services. The new structure now provides a general framework and serves as the basis for all future contracts and agreements between the companies. It covers the full range of Siemens’ offering, from the purchase of materials to the supply of complex solutions, for which Siemens will be involved in the early stages of project development at Covestro.

“With this agreement, we are strengthening our trusting partnership and can now work together even more closely and efficiently,” says Thorsten Dreier, Chief Technology Officer at Covestro. “This step makes it clear that we will continue to rely on our partnership with Siemens in the future. Siemens has proven to be a reliable supplier in many projects over the many years of cooperation and therefore we want to continue to work together with Siemens in the future to drive the transformation of the chemical industry towards climate-neutral production and a circular economy.”

Axel Lorenz, CEO Process Automation at Siemens, says: “We are very pleased to continue our successful path together with Covestro. In recent years, we have greatly expanded our portfolio for the chemical industry. At the same time, the challenges for sustainable production in the industry have grown significantly. The new agreement takes this development into account and offers a very good basis for implementing innovative ideas together even more easily in the future.”

About Siemens:

Siemens AG (Berlin and Munich) is a leading technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare.

In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, the Siemens Group generated revenue of €77.8 billion and net income of €8.5 billion. As of September 30, 2023, the company employed around 320,000 people worldwide.

www.siemens.com.

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The Rise Of Automation In Metal Am Post-Processing — Transforming The Industry With Precision And Efficiency

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The Rise Of Automation In Metal Am Post-Processing — Transforming The Industry With Precision And Efficiency 

Across the continually evolving manufacturing landscape, the integration of automation solutions continues to move quickly. For metal Additive Manufacturing (AM) processes the same is true. However, the post processing of metal parts, which is critical for successful outcomes, has been largely overlooked causing serious bottlenecks in the process chain — until now. The automation of post processing heralds a significant increase in efficiency and precision, reshaping how industries approach production using AM. Metal AM has been a game-changer in producing complex parts and components but without automated solutions the post processing of these complex parts involves heavy manual, labour-intensive, and time-consuming tasks. Below, we delve into how automation in metal AM post processing is setting a new industry standard, and how companies like Rivelin Robotics are leading this change with their Netshape® Robots to unlock new productivity and efficiency gains.

The Current State of Metal AM Post-Processing

The conventional approach to metal AM post-processing is a multi-stage process that demands meticulous attention to detail and a highly skilled, steady hand. 

The process begins with the essential removal of support structures that are necessary during the printing phase but become redundant thereafter. These supports must be eliminated without compromising the integrity of the core component, which is no mean feat. Once the supports are detached, the surface finishing phase commences, where the objective is to achieve the desired surface smoothness and texture. This could involve a variety of techniques, from sanding and polishing to more advanced chemical or laser-based methods. Following this, heat treatments are often required to relieve stresses within the material and improve its mechanical properties, ensuring that the part will perform reliably in its intended application. Last but not least, rigorous quality inspections are conducted to validate the precision and reliability of the final product. 

Each step in this process not only requires a high degree of technical skill but also introduces opportunities for human error, potentially leading to variations in quality and performance of the final parts.

The labour-intensive nature of conventional, manual metal AM post-processing is a bottleneck that inflates production times and escalates costs, often negating the benefits of utilising AM solutions. Skilled technicians must navigate the delicate balance between speed and precision, which can result in a trade-off between throughput and quality. The reliance on manual techniques for tasks such as support removal and surface finishing means that each component’s post-processing time is variable and often lengthy. Additionally, the manual handling of parts through these stages increases the risk of accidental damage or contamination, potentially leading to increased rejection rates and wasted materials. 

The cumulative effect of these factors is inconsistent final product quality, which can undermine the reliability of metal AM parts and limit their acceptance in critical applications where consistent performance is a must.

The Emergence of Automation in Post-Processing

Automated post-processing solutions have the potential to usher in a transformative era for production applications of metal AM. Advanced robotics, coupled with artificial intelligence (AI) are at the forefront of this new era. Such robotic systems can be engineered to execute support removal with remarkable dexterity, avoiding damage to intricate parts. Surface smoothing, too, is refined by these intelligent machines, which can adaptively polish and perfect surfaces to meet exact specifications. Furthermore, automated inspection systems employ sophisticated algorithms to detect imperfections with a level of accuracy far beyond the capability of the human eye. This shift to automation plays directly to the need for quality and consistency, ensuring that every product meets a set standard before it leaves the production floor.

The move towards automation in metal AM post-processing is not just about maintaining quality, it also enables a strategic approach to streamlining the entire manufacturing process chain. By deploying automated systems for these critical tasks, manufacturers can achieve significant reductions in cycle times, dramatically decreasing the duration from printing to product completion. Importantly, this increase in speed does not come at the expense of quality. On the contrary, it often enhances it, delivering consistently high-quality parts while simultaneously reducing costs. As a result, the investment in automation technology pays dividends in both the short and long term. In a market where competition is fierce and margins are tight, the ability to produce superior products efficiently and economically is not just advantageous — it can be seen as essential for survival.

The Upside of Automation

The key to automation in metal AM post-processing isn’t only about ground-breaking technology, it’s about the profound impact it has on the way we create and innovate. 

It’s a game-changer in efficiency, as automated systems don’t tire like we do, they keep going, bringing products from concept to reality at a pace that sets new standards. This means businesses can respond to market demands with agility, delivering new innovations to consumers speedily. It’s not just about being fast, though, it’s also about being smart. The costs saved on labour, the reduction in errors, these aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet. They are potentially the difference between thriving and just surviving in a competitive market.

With the advanced sensors and controls of today’s automated systems, tasks are executed with an exactitude that human hands might find challenging to replicate, especially at scale. And then there’s consistency, the assurance that every part, every component meets the same gold standard of quality, every single time.

And we must not forget the human side of things. Automation in metal AM post processing isn’t just about protecting the bottom line, it’s about protecting the people who make things happen. By taking on tasks that involve sharp tools and fine particles, automated systems shield workers from potential hazards, making the workplace a safer environment for all.

And as we look to the future, to a world where sustainability is not just “nice-to-have” but essential, automation steps up. It’s a steward of resources, minimising waste and optimising the use of materials, contributing to a greener, more sustainable manufacturing landscape. Companies stepping into the realm of automated post-processing are not just keeping up with the times, they are driving forward, setting the pace for a new era of production that is as much about speed and cost as it is about smarts and sustainability.

As machines take on the repetitive, the workforce is evolving too. The value now lies in the skilled handling of these sophisticated systems — in the programming, maintenance, and quality control that keep them working properly. This evolution is more than just about keeping up, it’s about redefining roles and preparing for a future where technology and human ingenuity work hand in hand.

In the area of automated metal AM post processing, we’re not just building better products we are also building a better way of working, a safer and more sustainable industry, and thus, a brighter, more innovative future.

Rivelin Robotics and the Future of Metal AM Post-Processing

A key player in this transformative journey is Rivelin Robotics, which develops innovative solutions for automated post processing of metal parts. Rivelin’s Netshape Robots are designed to seamlessly integrate into existing metal AM workflows, offering an advanced level of automation.

Netshape Robots are a testament to the potential of automation in revolutionising metal AM post processing. These robots are equipped with state-of-the-art technology to perform various post-processing tasks with remarkable precision and efficiency. By incorporating these robots, companies can significantly reduce manual labour, enhance the consistency of their products, and lower production costs.

Rivelin Robotics’ vision extends beyond the immediate benefits of automation. The company is committed to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in metal AM post processing. Its focus on continuous innovation and improvement is aligned with the industry’s growing demand for smarter, faster, and more reliable manufacturing solutions.

www.rivelinrobotics.com

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