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Summit Publishing cc

t: +27 (21) 712 1408

f: 086 519 6089

c: +27 (82) 822 8115

e: [email protected]

Postnet Suite 42, Private Bag X16,

Constantia 7848, Cape Town, South Africa

70 Newton Drive, Meadowridge, Cape Town

www.saplastics.co.za

GAUTENG

Lowrie Sharp

t: (011) 793 4691

f: (011) 791 0544

c: 082 344 7870


KZN

Lynne Askew

t: (031) 764 2494

f: (031) 764 0676


Printed by: Tandym Print, Maitland, Cape Town

SA Plastics Composites + Rubber Technology is published

six times a year and focuses on these industries in South

and southern Africa. We welcome news, articles, technical

reports, information in general and photographs about

events and developments related to the plastics industry.

The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily

those of the publisher. Views expressed are not necessar-

ily those of the Plastics Converters Association, Institute of

Materials or Association of Rotational Moulders either.

Copyright: All rights reserved.

ISSN number: 1684-2855 (ISDS Centre, Paris)

Summit Publishing: CK 9863581/23

VAT reg: 4600187902

Plastics Institute

of Southern Africa

PET Plastic Recycling

South Africa

Plastics Federation

of SA

Association of Rotational

Moulders of South Africa

Plastics Converters

Association

Institute of Materials

Publisher: Martin Wells

([email protected])

Editor: Tessa O’Hara

([email protected])

Editorial assistant: Heather Peplow

([email protected])

Financial manager: Lisa Mulligan

([email protected])

Designer: Jeanette Erasmus Graphic Design

([email protected])

Bronwen Moys Blinc Design

([email protected])

BY THE WAY . . .

Will lower oil prices translate to the

industry? – With crude oil prices

coming down over the last few

months, many have been optimistic

that we would soon see lower

polymer prices. And that indeed has

been the case, but just as quickly

as prices have fallen they’ve started

nudging up again. At the same time,

all the polymer manufacturers and suppliers have reduced stock holdings,

being apprehensive about the market volatility. Our Middle East columnist,

Niall Marshall, reports about the background to this scenario on page 32.

Setback for small business developmentA GLIMPSE at a map of Africa, and just a little bit of knowledge about the continent’s history, should be enough for most people to understand why Somalians are good traders. They have been handling trade around the Horn of Africa for a few thousand years. Their little dhows have been bobbing on the winds along the east coast of Africa since before the time of the prophets, moving spices, fabrics, jewelry, precious metals and stones … and just about anything of value. And they’re still at, as revealed by their more recent ventures into high seas piracy.

It was just a matter of time before the Somali traders reached South Africa, and over the past decade or so they’ve developed a niche here, operating small stores across the country, even in small platteland dorpies. They have been supplying goods to people in townships across the country in a sustainable manner.

The attacks on the Somali-run shops in the last few weeks are regrettable, but it’s even more regrettable that the country’s Minister of Small Business Development should argue that the Somalis should ‘share their secrets with us’.

It’s a sad day for us if people in important positions in government are going to react as the Business Development department has done. For the Somali traders, it’s not just a job – it’s a life. These people understand the value of money and how to handle cash and trade arrangements responsibly. And they spend long days at their small businesses, supplying what the people seek. They have been supplying a service where there was virtually no service before. We suggest that, rather than criticize, the small business development authorities rather study how the model works and then develop local individuals to reach for that standard.

Bob’s leopard work continuesBOB Boden, the ex-Coextruded Film Technologies man who has

been involved in leopard conservation since retiring in 2011, has had

to be tough to persevere with his new work, battling the problems of

snaring and poaching.

In June last year Northwest Biodiversity and Conservation

of these leopards, named Brandy, was immediately released into

the Magaliesberg and was doing extremely well, only to be caught

in a snare in September. The leopard was airlifted to Joburg Zoo

for urgent treatment, and it was discovered she was pregnant. The

female has since been released again into her home range and

camera trap footage suggests she

may have given birth.

… IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING

TO SAY

Look at the bright side: if you

have some gem of wisdom to

impart, please write to us at

[email protected]

2-3.indd 2 2015/02/17 4:16 PM

Contents

… for large injection moulds,

extruders, rollers, autoclaves and

other processing equipment

set-point and actual value

indicating elements

heating contactor

made of non-rusting materials, hence

long service-life

REGLOPLAS

High-performance

temperature control units

Type 90 Smart

Temperature control units for water up to 90°C

JENOWILL SERVICES

Type 150 Smart

Temperature control units for oil up to 150°C

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Contents

www.milliken.com

ON THE COVER

Find out more at www.saplastics.co.za

VOLUME 13 NR 1

56

6

8

12

16

18

20

22

26

28

34

40

48

50

53

56

76

78

INDUSTRY NEWSExtrupet ramps up Phoenix rPET output

Unilever partners with global suppliers

BASF celebrates 150th anniversary

Plastamid

Maritime acquires Liansu agency

New rPET producer SAFrePET

up and running

Building moulds in China:

How to overcome potential hazards

Dias & Sons builds huge mould

Tega Industries overhauls factory to meet

global standards

DESIGNAutomotive innovation at its best

ASSOCIATION NEWSSAPPMA: Deadline looms for

heavy metal-free pipes ruling

Plastics|SA wins environmental award

POLYCO:

recycling projects around SA

MATERIALS & EQUIPMENTMould and Die Solutions & Tirad: Super-sized

high precision custom mould bases from

SABIC & AMPA Group: Chemistry for a

sustainable synergy

WORLD NEWSPlastics play part in architectural illusion

First panorama roof with infrared absorption

36

10

67

69

40

At UTECH in Amsterdam from 14-16 April, Milliken

will showcase its unique fully reactive polymeric

additive technologies focused on enhancing

performance, improving visual appearance and

preserving the long-term quality of polyurethane

(PU) systems – all without contributing to VOC or

during manufacturing, they avoid migration and

loss of properties over time, and help to address

the major issues of degradation and discoloration

of PU articles due to light and heat sensitivity.

2-3.indd 3 2015/02/17 4:29 PM

OUR main story this issue is about the

expansion of Extrupet’s PhoenixPET

plant in Johannesburg. Extrupet is in the

process of tripling its food-grade rPET capacity,

and will in the near future be producing about

1750 tons a month of the material.

That is a substantial quantity of material, and a

response to demand from a number of the brand groups

to include recycled grade material in their packaging.

PET, undoubtedly, offers one of the most direct routes for

the generation of ‘r’ grade material, as its relatively easy

to recognise PET containers and the collected material

usually contains little colour additive. But after that it gets

complicated: the technology involved is more complex than

impressive achievement on pages 6-7.

At the same time, SAFrePET in Cape Town has also

entered the rPET market, via a different route, however,

with a system that it constructed itself (page 20). Here we

look at another example of how businessmen can achieve

their goals – with ingenuity, determination and, probably

most importantly, experience. Well done guys!

Is it safe to speak up, yet?Professor Ben Turok, the retired ANC MP, castigated the

audience at Plastics|SA’s AGM late last year in a good-

natured manner, but when he accused the audience of

being ‘supine’ he may have struck a nerve. For those not

familiar with this seldom used term, supine essentially

means to offer very little resistance – in fact, no resistance.

Turok was referring to the industry’s reluctance to engage

with government, and suggested that it was no surprise

that the government often promulgated legislation with little

consultation with the industry. He suggested that we were

really to blame for the situation (12-13).

We know the stakes are high, and also that the industry

does have several very capable and well-informed

solution, somehow, and urgently.

Elsewhere, in a related context, we run a summary of

the Department of Environmental Affairs’ proposed waste

management charges, in its draft regulations released in

February (page 31). This is essentially a lengthy document

outlining the structures that DEA may apply in order to

incentivise re-use, recycling or recovery of waste. Economic

opportunities may also be created in the process, which is

very necessary if we are to achieve a ‘win win’ result.

The well-researched draft document does invite members

opportunity to engage creatively with

government. We had 60 days as at

early February in which to do so.

It’s hardly incumbent on individual

businessmen to participate, although

some may, but many will look at the

industry’s professional associations

to take responsibility here and

engage with the DEA fully on the

topic. We hope POLYCO, PETCO,

SAPPMA, SAVA and others can achieve a good result for

the industry.

We have a substantial amount of news from the

associations this issue too, about their many and varied

programmes and activities (pages 40-51).

What’s coming up in 2015We end with a larger than normal DIARY section, which

– if you are planning to travel this year – may help you

plan. Our industry has been built up by taking strategies

from elsewhere in the world and

redeveloping them for local use, so

here’s your opportunity.

May the year ahead be good for

you and your businesses … it has

to be!

CO

MM

ENT

opportunity to engage

THIS ISSUE

4 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Martin Wells, Publisher

Made in space – Given the

rapid rate of technology

development over the past

few centuries, and not least

over the last decade or two,

the progress of 3-D printing

has been nothing short of

astounding. In some applications,

particularly for short-run products,

the process even rivals injection

moulding … and now, you guessed

it, they’re even doing 3-D printing in

space – see the NASA article, page 68

Food-grade recycled material is what the brand companies want

Unexpected growth of rPET demand

4.indd 4 2015/02/17 4:29 PM

BEFORE its recent plant upgrade, rPET manufacturer Extrupet was reprocessing about 1 million PET bottles a day into its ‘food grade’ rPet product, PhoenixPET… and

a startling 2 million bottles a day in the short period since the summer holidays.

That’s the nett result of the Wadeville recycler’s commissioning of a Starlinger recoSTAR PET iV system at the tail end of 2014.

Extrupet had been producing about 550 tons of its food grade PhoenixPET a month for a number of years, and that

following the installation of the new line. The recoSTAR system can process up to 1200 tons/month, giving Extrupet a theoretical total current capacity of 1750 tons/month,

January it was producing at a rate of about 30 tons a day, close to the targeted 40 tons/day. The output rate is collection related, since the increased volumes are dependent on quantities of PET containers collected.

At the same time, Extrupet also continues

woven and woven bag markets. The new food grade potential gives the SA company the opportunity to direct cleaner collected bales into its Phoenix rPET stream, where

Unitemp enters partnership with Thermon of USABrand name will continue and its business as usual for SA heating specialist

IN ORDER to pursue substantial growth opportunities, particularly on larger heating projects in Africa, Unitemp has entered into an agreement to become

a global leader in the industrial heating market and a channel partner of Unitemp for many years.

“We are excited about this new development. We believe the combined company will enable us to strengthen our

product ranges, expand our services and assist us in becoming a stronger partner to our valued customers, distributors and suppliers,” said Unitemp CEO Hans Hitzeroth.

The acquisition will be completed by a newly formed entity called Thermon South Africa, which is currently in the process of being formally registered in South Africa.

“Other than a change in company name, we do not foresee any material

changes to our business from the way it is conducted today. We anticipate that the brand name Unitemp will continue to be used for many of the products we sell in South Africa. Our management team and staff will remain in place following the closing of the transaction and we will continue to offer the same product ranges and services going forward,” added Hitzeroth.

Through its global network, Thermon provides highly engineered thermal solutions,

It’s in the bag – Extrupet has also introduced new woven bags to clearly identify its Phoenix rPET, building the image of the material as it grows in popularity with the brand companies

New Starlinger line enables Jhb recycler to increase volumes substantially

Extrupet rampsup PhoenixrPET output

NEW

S

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 7

BRIEFS

known as heat tracing, for process industries, including energy, chemical processing and power generation. Thermon’s products provide an external heat source to pipes, vessels and instruments for the purposes of freeze protection, temperature maintenance, environmental monitoring and surface snow and ice melting.

Thermon is headquartered in San Marcos, Texas. It generated annual revenue of $277-million in its most

around the globe.

www.extrupet.com

www.unitemp.co.za

ity is essential, and utilize other material for

initially shipped out to an associate business in Nigeria. But since its big move into the

ness and keep abreast of what has become a runaway market success story. The core of the phenomenon is that several brand owners and retailers have detected a very positive consumer reaction to the inclusion

and household detergent products, spurring the unexpected growth in the reprocessed material in a market in which virgin material was used exclusively before.

In what must rate as one of the biggest single capex projects in the industry in South

team have had to keep their wits about them in order to not lose existing customers during the plant installation and yet, with the

being produced, offer all the right specs and participate in the development of new con-

that coming through the new line.One of the goals at present is the

and water bottles including a percentage of

recoSTAR PET iV – The solid state polycon-densation unit of the recoSTAR line at Extru-

about 40 tons of material a day

Mpact celebrates as global food safety standard achieved

manufacturing operations have achieved the sought-after Food Safety

putting these factories at the highest global level in meeting food safety standards.

is a major achievement. “This standard is fundamentally about food safety and us being able to offer customers a very high level of assurance about the qual-ity of our process and the safety that is built in to the way we work.”

ance standard involved a team of

months.“It also great dedication and buy-in

from staff. It was also remarkable to see the amount of research, training and continuous monitoring of all pro-cesses to ensure practice meets the written standards and policies,” added Naidoo.

Boxmore buys more Astra companies

an agreement to purchase the Hilfort Plastics operations in Bloemfontein and Upington from Astrapak.

Astrapak stated that the disposal

manufacturing operations was in line with its strategic objectives of focusing on operations of scale.

“The plastic packaging market remains highly competitive; the funda-mentals continue changing rapidly and, to remain sustainable, the single most important factor is operational scale”

The purchase consideration of

Astrapak’s current debt. The net assets value of the businesses is approxi-mately R28-million and the annual net

Moore added that the Astrapak was progressing well with its efforts to reposition the group for the future and that this was one further step in the right direction.

www.mpact.co.za


ANGLO-Dutch FMCG multinational Uni-lever has agreed new partnerships with several global packaging suppliers, bring-ing global capabilities and investment to South Africa. The partnerships will enable Unilever to acceler-ate the introduction of product innovations with world-class quality and create new jobs.

This forms part of the company’s goal to deliver world class capabilities in Africa to accelerate innovations that drive growth and continuous improvement in quality and service for consumers.

According to Unilever chief supply chain

ships will be a key element of Unilever’s investment strategy in South Africa. The investments, which include the Anderboldt and Midrand factories, will facilitate the manufacture of home care and ice cream products of popular brands such as Omo, Skip, Handy Andy, Ola and Magnum.

Speaking during a visit to Unilever South Africa, Sigismondi said: “Consum-ers expect the best quality from Unilever. They look to us for exciting new product innovations to market. Our partnerships will ensure that we can grow our business over the long term through great product

Unilever partners with global suppliers

NEW

S

www.unilever.com

to drive quality Will accelerate world-class product innovations, create new jobs

quality and service. This kind of collabora-tion will also provide a much needed skills transfer and technological capability in South Africa.”

Sigismondi also described the partner-ships as a demon-stration of Unilever’s commitment to South Africa, saying the multinational has made investments of close to R3-billion in the last

four years and had worked closely with partners such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to bring the invest-ments to life.

“With 57% of our sales coming from the emerging markets in 2013 and South Africa being key in the Africa business, we will continue to seek ways to gener-ate sustainable growth in this country. Our investments in South Africa form

our business whilst reducing our envi-ronmental footprint and increasing our positive social impact. The investments will allow us to better serve South African consumers with green technology innova-tion, such as rainwater harvesting, as well as improve service levels to our retail customers,” explained Sigismondi.

‘Unilever has made investments in SA of close to R3-billion in

the last 4yrs’

for SA consumers

BRIEFS

SARS inspects incoming containersSOUTH African Revenue Services inspectors have been intercepting containers carrying polymer material arriving at Durban port and inspecting the contacts. This is the result of the introduction of two new tariff sub-headings, 3901.20.90 and 3903.19.90, leading SARS inspectors to automatically intervene on all transactions with these headings. The sub-headings

differentiate between virgin and recycled material (it’s surprising that such a distinction was not made before), but the net effect is that shipping companies are charging an additional R4000 per container, which has to be paid by the importer. Besides the cost, there is also the problem of the delays caused.

The need to inspect was apparently a result of a request from a ‘recycling association,’ but it appears that few if any irregularities have been detected by the SARS inspectors. The material dealers are hence hopeful that the interruptions and extra costs will soon be terminated.

Get your legally required employee related posters from the PCA

are legally required to display a set

information for employees on their premises.

Basic Conditions of Employment Act;Employment Equity Act; Machinery Regulations, Occupational Health & Safety Act;Skills Development Act; andSafety Regulations.

Convertors Association of SA

factually incorrect posters are doing the rounds. To ensure you have the correct set of posters, you can buy

Contact: Carol Klomfass on

tel 011 314 0019.

3138_Safripol_Advance_Ad_PRINT.indd 13138_Safripol_Advance_Ad_PRINT.indd 13138_Safripol_Advance_Ad_PRINT.indd 13138_Safripol_Advance_Ad_PRINT.indd 13138_Safripol_Advance_Ad_PRINT.indd 1 2014/07/24 2:28 PM2014/07/24 2:28 PM2014/07/24 2:28 PM2014/07/24 2:28 PM2014/07/24 2:28 PM2014/07/24 2:28 PM2014/07/24 2:28 PM


THE Performance Colour Systems team has done it again by combining resources with global market leader in Black Masterbatch – Hubron International Ltd, which is based in Manchester, England. The new partnership becomes effective January 2015. Keith Simms, Managing Director of Hubron visited South Africa in January to meet with the Performance team and explore growth opportunities.

The Performance Colour Systems team hosted technical presentations in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, announcing the partnership between these two Masterbatch giants. Keith led the countywide visit with in-depth discussions about Black Masterbatch and related technologies.

Hubron has a black masterbatch manufacturing capacity of 35,000 tons per annum and has been supplying the South African market since 1997. The link with Performance will further ensure that our customers have additional stock locally available throughout South Africa, combined with excellent technical support.

Hubron and Performance Colour Systems

- a new force in Africa

NEW

S

Hubron has an extensive range based upon many different polymer carriers, which are suitable for a wide variety of applications and processes, including

and injection moulding.Chad Francis, who heads up the

PCS organisation mentioned just how important it is to stay ahead of the technology frontier and keep on learning.

“Our suppliers, and the partnerships we create through these relationships are the ultimate differentiator”. Chad goes on to say that new ways of making quality material are a must for PCS to remain leaders in their industry.

The Hubron/Performance partnership is an exciting one, which could be a game changer in the Africa plastics market. The manufacture of granular Masterbatch is a challenging technology and these kinds of relationships are welcomed, and most certainly needed in South Africa.

www.hubron.com

www.coloursystems.co.za

Hubron manufactures over 100 types of black master-

batch for a wide range of industries, the main

sectors being cable, compounding, conductive

bre/tape, mould-ing, pipe extru-sion, sheet extrusion and

Keith Simms of Hubron (centre in white shirt) was hosted on his recent tour by the Performance Colour Systems team. A reception was held in the ‘lapa’ at the Performance plant in Meadowdale. Here we see Keith with Shaun Bouwer of Performance, Henri Pretorius (Gundle API) and Riccardo di Blasio, Lurika van Staden and Glenn Roppa (all of Performance group)

BRIEFS

DTI offers subsidy for composites companiesTHE Department of Trade and Industry has invited composites companies to apply for subsidies to participate in the CAMX show in Dallas, Texas, from 27-29 October. CAMX (Composite and Advanced Material Expo) is one of the top global composites events.

air travel assistance; daily subsistence allowance; freight forwarding of display material and exhibition space and booth rental costs. The deal is offered to SMMEs and BOEs

More information is available at

BUSA electricity surveyBUSINESS Unity South Africa is con-ducting a survey in which businesses are given the opportunity to explain what effect load shedding is having on their activities. Eskom apparently needs 3 000 MW lower demand to allow it to catch up on its maintenance back log, which has resulted in a situation where there is cur-rently 11 000 MW of unplanned outages – which has put the electricity system under pressure. If you have not heard of the survey or not yet participated, com-pleting the survey questionnaire should be a positive step.

The BUSA survey is being handled in cooperation with Plastics|SA.

Download the survey from

China bans import of mixed scrapCHINA’S customs department has banned the importation of mixed plastic scrap (that’s bulk mingled material that is unsorted and unwashed). A statement by the country’s Ministry of Commerce said contracts approved before 31 Dec 2014 had to be completed by 30 June 2015.

The deduction from this appears to be that China presently has an excess of bulk mingled scrap.

Substantial quantities of recycled plastic material have been exported from South Africa to China in recent years, mainly washed and sorted – in fact, much of SA’s best quality material has been ex-ported, due to the fact that both collectors and recyclers are getting better prices from the Chinese merchants.

We hear too that shipping of mate-rial too China is subject to lower fees as huge numbers of containers need to be returned to the East.

www.thedti.gov.za

www.busa.org.za

JOHANNESBURG

GLENN ROPPA: 082 416 8352

LURIKA VAN STADEN: 083 555 2001

PETER LOWRIE: 082 377 6133

JACQUES PRINSLOO: 083 339 3234

DURBAN

GREG WIBLIN: 082 264 3635

COLIN GOUNDER: 071 363 1829

CAPE TOWN

JARED KHOURY: 071 775 5747

BARRY SHAW: 083 408 9226

BRETT POLLARD: 082 691 3758

EAST LONDON

DAVID BOATWRIGHT

083 893 4131

“Everyday do

something that

will inch you

closer to a better

tomorrow.”

Doug Firebaugh

BASF celebrates its 150th

anniversary this year! From its beginnings in Germany in 1865 with the development and production of dyes, then the production of ammonia to make fertilizer, to plastics – BASF’s portfolio has continuously developed and evolved and today its product range covers a vast spectrum of industries.

It’s a great achievement for any company to remain successful for so many years. For BASF this number speaks to the creativity and determination of its employees – in the past and the present.

As a science and research-based com-pany, a prerequisite for the 150th anniver-sary celebration, locally and globally, was to connect to the company strategy and

corporate purpose - “We create chemistry for a sustainable future.” This statement expresses what has made, and continues to make, BASF successful. Over the years this winning recipe has not changed: BASF recognize societal trends and the needs of people; and with research and develop-

meet these challenges, again and again.“Today’s requirements and the expecta-

tions of society are much more complex. But our focus is still on improving people’s quality of life,” explained Laurent Tainturier, senior vice president for the EUE region, including CIS-Middle East-Africa. “This, however, should not come at the expense of the next generations. When we conduct research today, we keep one guiding principle in mind: sustainability. We treat re-sources with care and respect and strive to

strike a balance between all three dimensions: economy, environment and society.”

“It is critical that a company such as BASF addresses the challenges facing our planet, including those of energy and food resources, as well as urban living,” said Tainturier.

Collaboration to innovateBASF continues to work closely with univer-sity researchers, scientists and chemists on research, considering solutions together with customers and scientists.

“We see our anniversary as an opportunity to open up in ways that go beyond these prov-en collaborations,” said Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona, vice president and head of BASF in South Africa and Sub-Sahara. “We want to ini-tiate something new with our anniversary and try out new ways of working together over the next year – both within BASF and with people

Industry doesn’t offer resistance to State policies … seems to offer NONESpeaker says private sector is too quiet

YOU are supine! That was the message from the seemingly mild mannered Professor Ben Turok when he addressed the Plastics|SA annual general meeting in Midrand in October.

Turok, an ANC MP and director of the Institute for African Alternatives, was commenting about the industry’s lack of opposition to government policies.

“The private sector is far too quiet,” said Turok. He suggested that, since

most businessmen seem to want to avoid dealing with government ministers and departments, the government can’t be blamed for not taking business seriously.

Turok said he wished to foster a “serious debate about the serious state

in currently”.In discussion with some of the

delegates, prior to the commencement of the AGM, he inquired about the situation

in the local plastic converting industry. He said he was aware that one of the reasons why local convertors have been out-competed by Chinese manufacturers was due to state subsidies which Chinese convertors received from their government. By comparison, the South African government has over the past two decades virtually rushed to remove subsidies and import protection tariffs and duties.

That was particularly the case during the

NEW

S

Focus topics: energy, food and urban living

BASF celebrates

anniversary150th


1990s, when globalisation was the talk of the town. So open was the SA economy that many local businesses were virtually

More recently, however, the government

“So there are cases where government

Ben Turok was thanked for his presentation by Thobela Tapula, corporate affairs manager at Plastics|SA

Space™ virtual laboratory programme as

our target groups. Our three anniversary

The South African anniversary pro-gramme for the year will see a number of highly interactive events being

ing scientists, customers, business

focus will be on the three strategic

urban living. Events will range from

will challenge staff across all levels to come up with innovative solutions to societal issues, to participation

Speakers at BASF’s 150 year an-niversary launch in South Africa (from left to right): Petra Be-zuidenhout (head of corporate communications, governmental relations and advocacy, BASF Holdings), Joan-Maria Garcia-Gi-rona (BASF vice president, head of BASF Business Centre South Africa & Sub-Sahara); Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng (vice principal: research & innovation, University of South Africa), Dr Christo Marais (chief director, Department of Environmental Af-fairs), Laurent Tainturier (BASF senior vice president EUE–CIS, Middle East and Africa), Hanli Prinsloo (founder of the “I am Water” Foundation), His Excel-lency, Dr Horst Freitag (ambas-sador of the Federal Republic of Germany to South Africa)

A big ‘thumbs up’ for BASF

– Joan-Maria Garcia-Girona (BASF vice president, head of BASF Business Centre South Africa & Sub-Sahara) and Laurent Tainturier (BASF senior vice president EUE–CIS, Middle East and Africa) celebrating BASF’s 150th anniversary

Safripol CEO, Joaquin Schoch (centre), toasts BASF’s longevity with SA Plastics magazine’s Lowrie Sharp and Martin Wells

Investment of up to €500 million in production capacities worldwide

www.basf.co.za

www.basf.com

BASF plans major investment inpioneering superabsorbent technology

investment in a pioneering superabsorbent technology platform of its hygiene business.

over the next two to three years

existing plants.Superabsorbent polymers are

relative to their own mass. They are

will launch a new generation of highly innovative superabsorbent

SAVIVATM. The launch is

particles with micro-pores, SAVIVA

mechanism, making it a highly

global footprint for a reliable, global supply.

www.basf.com

Piovan of Italy and Eder Design of South Africa have established

Piovan South Africa

Contact us for your requirements

Johann Eder, Managing Director of Piovan South Africa,

tel: 012 253 1025 | email: [email protected]

The new generation Quantum

Gravimetric Blender – the fi rst gravimetric

batch blender that is mechanically and

electronically isolated from vibrations.

This is a fi rst for a global auxiliary supplier!

Piovan South Africa will focus on its core business of

material handling systems for plastic granules and

powders, ensuring signifi cantly improved turnaround

times and service to customers.

Piovan South Africa offers customers complete

turn-key solutions:

Piovan is also a leader in low energy consumption PET

drying solutions and the recycling of post-production

PET scrap. Piovan offers dedusting and crystallization

solutions for PET.

Rapid GranulatorsOur customers have always stressed

how happy they are with the reliability,

superior design and build quality of

their Rapid granulators. Our service &

support facilities are in place to help

our customers get the best from their

machinery.

Rapid’s Open-Hearted technology

offers uniquely fast access to machine

interior for cleaning and maintenance.

Further, we’re offering a complete

range of auxillary equipments includ-

ing dust separation systems, metal

detection/separation and much more.

EDER DESIGN, based in South

Africa, have been appointed Rapid’s

exclusive distributor for South Africa

and Sub-Sahara Africa.

EDER DESIGN/RAPID provides

granulators in widths up to 1500 mm,

with throughput capacities up to 4

tonnes/hour.

www.rapidgranulator.com

Rapid Granulator AB

Phone: +46 (0)370 86500

E-mail: [email protected]

Tel: +27 82 651 3315

E-mail: [email protected]

600_eder_A4.indd 1 2014-11-13 11.13

Tel: 012 253 1025E-mail: [email protected]


NEW

S

Cape team –

Dave Cowan, Tania Smit and Johan van Wyk

Johannesburg

team – Sherisha Ramruthan (seated),

the new Plastamid manager, with

Renee Brennan, Tania Postlethwaite, Nthabiseng Mdikwa

and Aneshri Padayachy

Plastamid customer

ment includes Tshipane Nkwe,

achee and Latasha Pillay

ness Unit Manager. Sherisha was previ-ously at Lake International Technologies,

also an AECI Group company.

Ryan Harrison.

supplier of choice for customers in the markets we serve,” said Harrison.

Plastamid is now supplying compounded engineering poly-mer material and grades from an international compounder.

material that was previously manufactured locally,” added Harrison.

“With the diversity of polymers, pig-ments and additives, Plastamid aims to increase its presence in the plastics industry and to diversify into different market sectors, including packaging.

“With our history of excellent technical support and customer service, we look forward to this new opportunities,” said Harrison.

AECI has made some strategic changes

its product range. Besides the range of polymers it has supplied for over four decades (the com-

Plastamid is now also supplying a full range of additives and pig-ments to the plastics market, as well as to the coatings industry.

under the new management of Sherisha

Durban

team –

Uresha

beer and ChristoJordt

FORD debuted its newest GT supercar at the North American International Auto Show in January, a car that will come with a carbon

development project with Dow Chemical’s DowAksa joint venture to develop lower cost,

the growing needs for lightweight materials in

Turkey’s Aksa Akrilik Kimya Sanayii AS, builds on a 2012 project with the same companies

companies will also look at ways to recycle

The last GT, in 2005, used carbon

an interior panel within the hood, where it was not

one, set to go into production this year, has carbon

passenger cell

along with aluminium front and rear sub frames, which are encapsulated in

Ryan Harrison

The Plastamid Team can be reached on:

phone +27 (0)11 922 1780/1973/1954;

[email protected]

phone +27 (0)21 914 9042;

[email protected]

phone: +27 (0)31 762 3445;

[email protected]

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15 MARITIME Marketing has acquired the

agency for Liansu Extrusion Machinery, one of the largest and most respected extruder manufacturers in China.

the industry have rejoined Maritime: Andy Woods has joined the team as extrusion product manager. He has a phenomenal 45 years’ experience in the plastics industry and will expand Maritime’s

and sheet extrusion sector.Paul Ferreira makes a welcome

return to Maritime Marketing, as ancillary product manager. Paul has over 30 years’ experience in the industry and is a familiar face to most – welcome back ‘Mr Shini’.

Maritime acquires Liansu agency

NEWS

www.marimark.co.za

www.nisseiasb.co.jp

Paul Ferreira makes

a welcome return to

Maritime as ancillary

product manager

Andy Woods has joined

the Maritime Market-

ing team as extrusion

product manager

Nissei ASB

in Kenya

reach across the sub-Saharan continent.“We decided to open the Kenyan

with our existing and potential new customers,” said Corné Pretorius, GM of the Japanese machine manufacturer’s

“It also allows us to work more closely with our customers on their projects and shorten timelines,” he added. “We understand the importance of customer service and support and would like to grow Africa together with our customers.”

PC Gokhale, who has a lot of experience

Safripol rated Top Employer for 7th year in succession

SAFRIPOL has been awarded the Top Employ-er South Africa 2014 for the seventh consecutive year. This comes as reward for the company’s continued efforts to improve employee satisfac-tion at all levels.

As the country’s sole high-density polyeth-ylene manufacturer, and one of only two local producers of polypropylene, Safripol prides itself on an excellent portfolio of products, supplied to an elite selection of customers in all areas of plastic conversion.

Recognised as one of South Africa’s top em-ployers for the past seven years in succession, Safripol is very aware that employee satisfaction is one of the most important building blocks of business success, sustainability and the ultimate bottom line. Employees are encouraged to im-prove their knowledge and skills through work-related training and education to keep abreast of the newest trends, modern technical advances

and innovative opportunities for growth. Employees are given more responsibility for their own environment, participating in

and taking charge of safety in the manufac-turing plant.

Through its employees, the company is focused on the continual improvement of its products and performance, and on develop-ing new products. The most successful of these developments have been the world-class PE100 pipe resin, iMPACT100® which has excellent processing characteristics, as well as high clarity PP random copolymers in the ADVANCE series, which give prod-

times and saving energy.

Employees are given more responsibility for their own environment

www.safripol.co.za

Safripol HR manager Victor Matsoso had the honour of receiving the Top Employer Award on stage at the Top Employers Institute

in the ISBM (injection stretch blow moulding) area.

Nissei ASB South Africa will provide technical and spares support

technical support in the very near future.

to service the West Africa market; reporting to

PC Gokhale who heads up Nissei


Ingenuity applied: existing equipment used to keep set-up costs down

NEW

S

www.safrepet.com

New rPET producer SAFrePETup and running

Steve Newby and Johan Grové, two of the partners in the new venture, at the SAFrePET plant in Parow Industria, with chipped, sorted and washed PET material. At present SAFrePET is processing approximately 60 tons of rPET a month and selling it into the

High quality chipped rPET

+27 (0)31 765 5720

0086 151 685 69018

+27 (0)82 821 4775

[email protected]

How to overcome potential hazards

NEWS

Miracle Mould man says production in Far East continues to offer many advantages


Building moulds in China:

THE enticement and perceived advantages of having moulds built in China is immense, but does the result always justify this?

Up until quite recently, a large portion of injection moulds in operation in South Africa have been built in China, with the Chinese mould makers offering both ex-ceptional prices and turnaround times that local toolmakers have often not been able to match.

That situation has been revised more recently with the decline in the rand-dollar exchange rate, which resulted virtually overnight in moulds ex-China costing about

creasing as the rand has further weakened against the dollar). This switch has made prices offered by the South African mould makers more competitive.

But Chinese moulds still have a lot to offer, and one of the men who is most in-volved in this area is Brian Almanza of Mir-acle Mould International (MMI) of Durban.

Miracle runs mould shops in both Durban and China, although the circumstances in these two centres differ fundamentally: the trend in China is for several mould shops with different but complimentary expertise to cooperate and work on complicated and/or large moulds jointly, which is gener-ally not the case in South Africa.

The biggest stumbling block in working with Chinese mould makers was previous-ly the language barrier. Although the prob-lem has improved, since many of China’s top mould makers now employ young individuals who speak both English (and well too), clear understanding remains a challenge. This is particularly the case when it’s necessary to explain complex mould designs and alterations.

Almanza, however, appears to have semi-perfected the process. MMI has been building moulds as well as press tools (which MMI also specialises in) for the past 31 years.

Following in the footsteps of the late John Algate, a South African designer who

carved a niche for himself in the Far East, designing and building moulds in China for South African clients, Almanza speaks Man-darin. He has been working with a cluster of designers and mould makers in China.

We asked Brian about his experience in the East to date:

in China?About 15 years ago my ISO 2000 injection moulding and mould making company could not cope with the demands of the company’s injection mould manufacturing requirements, and the local lead times were unsuitable. This forced me to look offshore for options.

getting my moulds made in China were short lead times and very competitive pricing. China is growing at a staggering rate and, with this growth there are many changes such as


to follow when manufacturing tooling in China:

Rule number 1: People do what you inspect and not what you expect

Rule number 2: Make sure you thoroughly know who you are dealing with

Rule number 3: Physical inspection is always better than written reports or verbal assurances

Rule number 4: Formulate a 100% material

Rule number 5: Transact honourably, keep your word and respect your suppliers, and you will make good friends and gain respect.

higher wage demands by the labour force and shorter working weeks.

What do you believe are the main advan-tages of running a mould shop in China?Despite the rapidly changing landscape, there are still major advantages to be obtained by designing and making produc-tion tooling in China. The lead times are still unbeatable in most instances. Pricing on an apples-for-apples basis is currently unbeat-able, despite the changes.

What are the chief challenges and problems when working with Chinese mould-makers?Sourcing moulds successfully requires an in depth understanding of many cultural differ-ences. These have been learnt by constant interaction. A lot can also be learnt by the reading of many very interesting books on the subject. It is also hugely important to remember that, like many other parts of the world, people do what is inspected and not

what is expected.Every project that MMI takes on is

designed by me, with a team of mould design engineers in design review

encouraged from all participants. Once started the project has to be micro-managed, and every step of the project managed and inspected to minimise the chance of defects. These defects are caused by numerous factors, including but not limited to, human error, material

tions, incorrect machining and, most commonly, design deviation.

The choice of remedial and manage-ment strategies cannot be the same as one would use locally, as these would most certainly result in an undesirable outcome and most likely worsen the problem. The ability to communicate in Mandarin and have an intimate knowl-edge of the culture, Confucianism and Chinese way certainly go a long way to resolving any snags and managing

The ability to speak Mandarin has been a big aid for Brian Almanza when doing business in China, but the man’s huge interest in injection mould technology has been the main factor behind Miracle Mould International’s success. MMI operates out of Durban, but Almanza is frequently in China

SOME USEFUL RULES

NEWS


a project successfully. Like any other business environment, a loyal, local, personal assistant is also invaluable and goes a long way during complex cross-cultural negotiations.

Quality controlPeople do what you inspect not what you expect. With the requirements that the position dictates, it is impossible for me to be present every minute of the mould manufacturing process, as the moulds are built on a 24-hour six-days-a-week schedule, provided there is not a compel-ling reason to work a 24/7 schedule.

Despite this understandable limitation, before a mould is shipped, every piece of the mould is inspected in a strip-and-rebuild conducted by MMI personnel. If a fault is found, it is immediately reported to the client and a course of action decided on.What has been your most successful

www.miraclemould.com

mould built/success story in China?The most challenging of moulds manufac-tured in China was a door hanger runner. The mould was successfully manufactured without the use of a hot runner, despite the dimension being 1.3 metres long and only about 60mm wide, with an undercut over the whole length The design review team could not agree on the mould design, given the fact that warpage had to be avoided.

tests were done, there was no conclusive answer. In times like this, someone has to

the component in the end of the 1.3m part without a hot runner system.

Although it was an educated guess, I got

The end result was a near perfect part,

the client, and a saving to the client of R650,000!

a 4-cavity sequential gated tappet cover mould, a somewhat complex undertaking

‘No consumer health risk from Bisphenol A exposure’

www.plasticseurope.org

www.bisphenol-a-europe.org

THE European Food Safety Authority

opinion on the safety of Bisphenol A (BPA) on 21 January. It combines the authority´s assessment of both exposure and health aspects and considers comments received from national authorities and stakeholders following extensive engagement and consultation. The new assessment covers exposure from food sources along with exposure from a range of other potential sources, and considers all age groups of the population.

Exposure from all sources is very low and well below the new safe limit for all age groups – BPA-based products safe for consumers Applying a comprehensive weight-of-evidence approach to all relevant studies

set a lifetime safe intake level, known as the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Notably, the safe level conservatively takes into account remaining uncertainties about potential health effects of BPA.

Considering all sources of exposure together, the expert panel concluded: ‘BPA poses no health risk to consumers of any age group’.

It is anticipated that EFSA will revisit the TDI, which is currently designated as temporary, to incorporate the results of ongoing US governmental studies, which were designed to resolve remaining uncertainties about the safety of BPA.

Transparent and open process strengthens the conclusion The PC/BPA Group and Epoxy Resin Committee of PlasticsEurope appreciate the transparent and open stakeholder engagement of EFSA during the public consultation. This process ensured

and information were considered and

assessments of government bodies around the world The EFSA conclusion is consistent with

the safety of BPA in food contact

materials from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many other government bodies, for example Health Canada, have also evaluated the

similar conclusions.

In light of EFSA’s conclusions, the French restriction on BPA is disproportionate and should be withdrawn“The fact that any realistic exposure to BPA is well below even the conservative safety threshold established by EFSA shows that blanket restrictions being applied at national level, in particular in

withdrawn,” says Jasmin Bird of the PC/BPA-group. “This EFSA conclusion on BPA should be used as the basis for consistent and harmonised European food safety regulation, and should be respected by all EU member states.”

PhoenixPET is proud to announce the opening of its new state of the art

Bottle-2-Bottle recycling facility capable of producing the highest

quality recycled PET on record in South Africa. This giant leap in recycling

means for the first time recycled PET can be used for bottles of carbonated

soft drinks, bottled water and all other forms of PET packaging.

With a new plant, we’re helping industry turn over a new leaf.

www.extrupet.com

E-mail [email protected]

Website www.phoenixpet.co.za

Contact 011 865 8380

“Some people said it was not possible for the tool to be made in this country and

Dias of the Westville-based mould and die manufacturer.

Dias & Sons has been in operation since

his sons and the team now operates from a well-equipped toolroom with all the latest

moulded in polyprop locally. It is aimed at

this case is for the rural areas.

A lot of Dias & Sons’ work has been for a sanitary ware and plumb-

“We have been

small moulds as well as

We have built up a close relationship with a sanitary ware supplier and have basically made a plan to help them out

machine and the customer was very happy

Did your company design the mould as well?“We weren’t involved in any of the develop-ment of the actual product. There were too

NEWS

Durban toolroom competes successfully with Far Eastern competitors

Dias & Sonsbuilds huge mould


The hydraulic core pulling unit, in itself a large item, is vital for the cone shaped

moulding, with undercuts, and allows the mould to open/close

Mould mounted in the injection machine, with the core pulling system installed

What are the particular features of the mould?

the mould has four hydraulic

tions which have to work in

How were you able to fend off competition from China?

on the mould. We were more expensive than

they would consider us. We wanted to take on

We brought our price in line with

the overseas competitors and we were given the go-ahead

[email protected]

SALES AND MARKETING

Eastgate Office Park, Ground Floor, Block ASouth Boulevard, Bruma 2026, South Africa

Locally manufactured, globally sought aftersynthetic rubberssince 1964

T +27 (0)11 601 1660F +27 (0)11 616 6651E [email protected]


overseas competitors and we were given the go-ahead. We had managed to source a lot of the material needed for the project

for costing and availability in South Africa.“Having to compete with the time lines

quoted by our Chinese competitors – which was a 12-week lead time for the completion of the project – was obviously a challenge. Some of the tool steel pieces weighed about 1000kgs, so we would have been in dire straits if we hadn’t been able to get the steel material locally, as importing would have taken weeks. The exchange rate did play into our favour, along with the three-week shipping period (that the Far Eastern manufacturer would

Dias & Sons is able to cut steel up to 1300mm x 900mm, which made it possible for it to manufacture the large mould

have had to factor in), which gave us more time to complete the mould. Have the mould trials proceeded well?“We have run the mould twice and it has run smoothly on both occasions. We are cur-rently adding a few webs onto the product to strengthen it. The mould will be ready to run at the end of January as the company has orders it needs to start getting out.

“The customer has now commissioned an even bigger tool with the same sort of concept.”

Open view of the one half of

the pan mould


TEGA Industries South Africa has com-pletely overhauled its manufacturing plant to TÜV Rheinland ISO 9001 standards in order to supply markets in Africa and glob-ally with its unique rubber and engineered products.

The company invested millions of Rands in its new plant in Vulcania, Brak-pan to put itself in a position to grow the business to its full potential and integrate fully into the vast supply chain of the global Tega Industries Limited group. The investment in an extra-large facility, as well as trained technical and production staff, enables the company to supply locally manufactured goods to any one of the company’s operations in more than 72 countries worldwide.

According to Tega Industries SA quality manager, Siya Rala, all the necessary

factory to meet global standardsMillions of rand invested in new factory

processes, procedures, equipment and staff have been put in place and these have been subjected to a thorough audit from the TÜV Rheinland team.

International supply chain“By obtaining ISO 9001 accreditation through this internationally recognized au-thority we are able to establish our creden-tials upfront and allow our global operations to pick and place order from our facility with

“Likewise our customers in Africa and further abroad also have the assurance that they are dealing with a company that is able to meet the world’s highest quality require-ments in terms of design, manufacture, supply and service of products in mineral

“By implementing such a system we have

The investment in an extra-large

facility, as well as trained technical

and production staff, enables the company

to supply locally manufactured goods

to any one of the company’s operations

in more than 72 countries worldwide

NEW

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aligned ourselves with our global outlets and manufacturing plants in Australia, Brazil, Chile, India and other manufactur-

Top to bottom approach

new equipment and laid out according to

methods possible. Tega Industries have also built a new lab with world-class facilities to enable it to undertake its own product testing, as well as in-process and

“Everything has been improved and standardized, right up to our packaging materials and methods so that our prod-ucts can be shipped easily and delivered undamaged to any destination in Africa or

www.tegaindustries.comTega Industries’ SA factory has been built and equipped to produce world-class mining, rubber and engineered products. Here, a worker supervises one of the large rubber presses

One of the well-used moulds on the company’s small rubber press line

Tega Industries SA quality

manager, Siya Rala,

says all the necessary

processes, procedures,

equipment and staff

have been put in place

and these have been

subjected to a thorough

audit from the TÜV

Rheinland team

Tega Industries overhauls

AUTOMOTIVE companies and suppliers

are working hard on autonomous driving

technologies and expect to come up with a

solution in the foreseeable future. A concept

car called XchangE, has been developed

by Rinspeed, Swiss developer, and

presented a vehicle in running order at the

2014 Geneva Motor Show, but also showed

that the new technology will change the

interior of a car completely.

One of the advantages of autonomous

driving is all the time freed up – on

average, two weeks per year! That is

more than 20,000 minutes the ‘driver’ can

use to relax, for entertainment or to work.

Car manufacturers want to create an

atmosphere conducive to using this extra

time to its best effect. Evonik Industries’

acrylic Plexiglas plays a vital part in

achieving this by offering designers creative

scope in terms of forming, and making it

possible to integrate a number of different

functions.

Plexiglas LED for edge lighting is used

in the car head liners as well as cross

car beam. The transparent, light-diffusing

Plexiglas creates an attractive interplay of

colours that can be changed according to

the desired mood.

Plexiglas has proven itself time and again

in the automotive market. It is weather

and age resistant and can be coloured as

desired, making painting and laminating

redundant. It can also be found in the

XchangE’s high-gloss covers, the cover

of the centre column, the rear spoilers,

the rear lamps covers, as well as in the

headlamp lenses.

CAN a professor working out of a modest

laboratory in a teachers’ college crack one

of the biggest technical challenges facing

plastics recyclers? Hong Kong Institute of

Education chemistry professor Stephen

Chow hopes so.

Chow’s research was spurred by a

growing problem – what to do with the six

million metric tons of solid waste Hong

Kong’s seven million people generate

each year. Hong Kong residents haven’t

caught the frugal bug like other Asian

powerhouses – per capita domestic waste

in 2011 was a hefty 1.36kg every day,

compared to 0.95kg in Seoul and 0.77kg in

Tokyo, according to the city’s Environment

Bureau.

At current rates, the city’s three

are expected to be full by the end of the

decade. And land is at a premium: Hong

Kong comprises a dinky 1014km².

Chow’s research focuses on ‘cracking’

or breaking down, polyethylene,

polypropylene, PVC and polystyrene,

and he believes these polymers can be

BRYAN Priestman of Intaplastics of

Durban, a man who knew the plastic

sheet market inside out, passed away

suddenly in June. He was just 59.

Bryan spent virtually his entire career

FBR Plastics and then Modek, the

manufacturer of roof sheeting and

merged with Ampaglas, the leader in the

SA sheet market, Bryan managed the

Ampaglas branch in Durban. He later

joined the breakaway EBF Plastics, but

Torch Plastics was established.

Torch Plastics was involved in the

sale of plastic sheet to a variety of

markets, much of its product was

imported, but Bryan and his team

specialised in sourcing the right product

for any application.

Bryan was a larger than life

character who had a joke for just

about everything. He was active too:

he played water polo for over 40

years, competed in seven SA water

polo masters championships, did the

Midmar Mile many times and was still

playing water polo actively last year.

Torch was purchased by Intamarket

group in September 2013, and now

operates as Intaplastics out of New

Germany in Durban. The company is

now being run by Ryan Easton, who

worked with Bryan for several years at

Torch and before that.

www.evonik.comwww.intamarket.co.za

Plexiglas offers designers creative scope in forming, making it

possible to integrate different functions

Claims to be working on a catalyst that takes just 10 minutes to crack the polymer

Autonomous driving in a pleasant setting: Rudolf Blass (left) from Evonik and Frank

Rinderknecht also have the Feelgood factor when driving in mind

Novel car concept uses

Plexiglas

Can Hong Kong researcher ‘crack’ waste plastics?

Torch Plastics man

knew sheet market

inside out (1955-2014)

Bryan Priestman in Hong Kong in 2010: like

many in the industry in South Africa, and

globally, Bryan sourced material from China,

with Hong Kong being the main transit point

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Industry news 30-31.indd 30 2015/02/17 4:14 PM

THE National Pricing Strategy for Waste Management Charges

has been gazetted, and the implications of the legislation could

be a ‘game changer’ for the industry.

The document was signed by the Minister of Environmental Affairs

Edith Molewa on 2 February, and members of the public (and notably

individuals involved in the processing of plastic, composites and

rubber materials as well as recycled materials) have 60 days in

which to make representations or objections to the Minister.

The strategy outlined was addressed at a joint meeting

involving the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and

the Waste Management Forum on 13 February, with some

interesting strategies and opportunities being outlined.

The aim of the National Pricing Strategy for Waste Management

(NPSWM) is to provide the basis and guiding methodology for

setting of waste management charges in South Africa.

The ‘Waste Act’ allows for the targeting of economic instruments

encourage a change in behavior towards the generation of waste

and waste management by all sectors of society”. The Waste

Act, as amended in section 13B, calls for an Act of Parliament

to give effect to the pricing strategy, including details on 13B(b)

determination of waste management charges and the review of

these waste management charges from time to time. Section

13B(c) includes procedures for collection of charges through the

use, recycling or recovery of waste and the ‘polluter pays principle’.

practices

implementation of approved guidelines, norms and standards

management of the disbursements of incentives

monitoring of the impacts of incentives and disincentives

including in previously disadvantaged communities

The Waste Act directly allows for the implementation of

economic instruments through what it refers to as ‘priority waste;’

The objectives include reducing the generation of waste;

recycling and recovery; and supporting the growth of a Southern

African (regional) secondary resources economy from waste.

South Africa is estimated to generate 108 million tonnes of waste

a year (as at 2011), of which 98 million tonnes (or 90%) is disposed

secondary resources are mostly lost to the South African economy.

than 20% for tyres, plastic and WEEE (waste electrical and

By international standards, certain waste streams generated in

South Africa have achieved encouraging levels of recycling through

voluntary programmes, while other waste streams are lagging

behind that of other developed and developing countries.

outlines the ‘potential economic instruments’ for solid waste

Downstream instruments:

Upstream instruments:

Subsidy-based instruments:

based instruments are not elaborated on further in the document.

downstream recycling and recovery markets,” the statement said.

The draft regulations, listed under ‘Documents for Comment,’

can be accessed at

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1INDUSTRY NEWS

Dept of Environment Affairs proposes system to incentivize reuse, recycling and recovery

The build-up of plastic scrap in Hong Kong, particularly

along its coastline, may be a thing of the past if Professor

Stephen Chow cracks the code and manages to reduce

polymers back to organic fuel

Draft regulations make provision for waste charges

Can Hong Kong researcher ‘crack’ waste plastics?

reduced back to organic fuel. Cracking

polymers requires a combination of heat

and pressure — pyrolysis, and sometimes,

a catalyst. The problem is generating those

high temperatures and pressure — always

recycling. Chow claims to be working on

a catalyst that takes a scant 10 minutes to

crack the polymer. The catalyst works at

low pressure and temperature, resulting in

and rings that make up plastics can take

from 20 minutes to an hour. Doing this

eliminates the need to bury the scrap in

greenhouse gas.

spray and dish detergent. His research is

On the output side, he’s still unsure

acid. And he’s testing the emissions

carcenogenic particulate matter.

He readily acknowledged that work

hasn’t begun on the hard part of scaling up

his technique to handle the 1,100 metric

tons of plastics Hong Kong throws away

every day.

www.plasticsnews.com

www.PlasticsNews.com

www.sawic.environment.gov.za

Industry news 30-31.indd 31 2015/02/17 4:14 PM

BY DR NIALL MARSHALL

THE second most common question I

have been asked recently is ‘what effect

will the drop in oil prices have on the

polymer producers in the Middle East?’

A good question. A tough question. A

question that I don’t have an answer

for, but a question that has been much

debated over the last few months by

everyone from consultants to suppliers,

engineering contractors to customers,

and of course the polymer producers

themselves. And the consensus is… well,

there is no consensus!

The reason why there is no consensus is

because it is complicated. Complicated in

terms of the products that are co-produced

from a ‘barrel of oil’,

complicated in terms of

the costs of producing

petrochemicals,

including polymers, and

complicated in terms

of the links between

costs and price. To

understand why (in

the space of a single

week, predictions are

made by analysts that the oil price will

drop below $40/barrel, while the CEO

of an Italian oil company is warning of

prices over $200/barrel) it is necessary to

through the chemistry and economics of

petrochemicals because the answer will

depend on which of a number of competing

the price of oil at any time.

Chemistry plays an important part

First the chemistry: Petrochemicals

are chemicals consisting mostly of

carbon and hydrogen (hydrocarbons)

usually separated out from crude oil

or natural gas or products synthesized

using chemicals found in oil and gas.

Products used for energy, whether as

transportation fuels, in heating or power

generation, are not considered to be

petrochemicals, even though more than

90% of the products produced from crude

oil or natural gas are fuels.

Natural gas contains molecules made

up of one to four carbon atoms including

methane (C1 meaning it is made up of

one carbon atom), ethane (C2 containing

two carbon atoms), propane (C3) and

butane (C4). Natural gas is usually used

as a fuel for heating and

cooking (most city gas

distributed through pipelines

is methane, propane is

supplied in cylinders for

gas braais, butane is used

in lighters, and LPG is

a mixture of butane and

propane) but they can

also be used as ‘building

blocks’ for other chemicals,

for example ethane and propane can

be converted to ethylene and propylene

respectively which are the raw materials

for polyethylene and polypropylene.

Crude oil mostly consists of molecules

containing 5 to 50+ carbon atoms

although it may also contain smaller

molecules (referred to as ‘associated

and separate it into different fractions

based on the size of the molecules. The

most important fractions in crude oil

are the C5-C10 ‘light distillates’ used to

make petrol and the C10-C18 ‘middle

distillates’ used for kerosene, diesel and

jet fuel. Less important ‘heavy distillates’

(C18-C25) are used for lubricants and

fuel oils while the heavier residual

fractions (C25-C50+) include greases,

waxes and asphalt.

fractionate the crude oil, to separate

out the components that can be used

directly and to send the other fractions for

further processing – and this is where the

economics start to becomes important.

All these hydrocarbon molecules can

be transformed into other molecules:

naphtha can be used in fuel or converted

into ethylene and propylene to be used to

make polymers.

Not all crude oil the same

Another important point to consider is that

not all crude oil is the same. A ‘light crude’

contains more light- and middle-distillates

than a ‘heavy crude’ which contains

more of the heavy distillates and residual

fractions which need to be broken down to

the economically more useful molecules.

As the most important fractions are those

used to produce transportation fuels

(petrol, diesel and jet fuel) the value of a

they contain more of the light and middle

distillates and there is less need for further

processing. An oil with relatively more

light-distillates than medium-distillates will

produce less diesel than one with more

medium-distillates. Heavier crude oils

Large quantities of low cost oil is found in the Middle East – even at $25/barrel

many of these


Low oil prices not a cause for gloom & doomfor Middle East polymer producers

May increase importance of polymers to the Middle East economies as a way

to increase value of exports

MIDDLE EAST feature.indd 32 2015/02/17 9:25 AM

FEATURE

Big quantities of low cost oil in Middle

East

Overall optimism in the regional oil and

gas industry

really

NIALL CAN BE REACHED AT: [email protected]


MIDDLE EAST feature.indd 33 2015/02/17 9:25 AM

THE Automotive Division of the Society of Plastics Engineers’ (SPE®) celebrated its 44th-annual Automotive Innovation Awards Competition at the end of 2014, the oldest and largest recognition event in the automotive and plastics industries.

The Safety category winner also was the event’s Grand Award winner selected by a panel of Blue Ribbon judges as the year’s Most Innovative use Plastics. Dozens of teams made up of OEMs, tier suppliers, and polymer producers submit nominations describing their part, system, or complete vehicle module and why it merits the claim as ‘Year’s Most Innovative Use of Plastics’.

This annual event typically draws 600-700 OEM engineers, automotive and plastics industry executives, consultants, and media.

DESIGN


Most innovative use of plastics

Grand Award Winner & winner in the Safety category

Active glove boxFord Motor Co, 2015 Ford Mustang sports car

System supplier: Faurecia Automotive System

Material processor: Faurecia Interior Systems

Material suppliers: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp / Advanced Composites, Inc.

Resins: TP850N, ADX5028 & ADX5017 TPO

Tooling/equipment supplier: Extol, Inc.

airbag is integrated with the glove-box door, reducing weight 65% and space

woven textile airbag, a special bladder is hot-plate welded to the door and then

hermetic seal. This saves $5-10 USD/car while providing consumers with more

Panoramic sunroof frameHyundai Motor Group, 2015

Kia Sorento CUV

System supplier: Inalfa Roof Systems Korea

Material processor: Inalfa Roof Systems, Korea

Material supplier: GS Caltex

Resin: Hiprene ALC12B Polyamide 6

Tooling/equipment supplier: Hyundai Motor Group

This large but very light panoramic

reinforced thermoplastic, which has been optimised for density, mechanical properties, and reasonable cost. This

thermoplastic application in a sunroof frame. It allowed 33 steel parts to be integrated into just four reinforced plastic ones.

GRAND

WINNER

Automotive innovation

Body Exterior

at its bestBody Interior

Second-row seat backFord Motor Co, 2015 Ford

Mustang sports car

System supplier: Continental Structural Plastics Inc.

Material processor: Continental Structural Plastics Inc.

Material supplier: Hanwha L&C

Resin: GMT 45% GF unidirectional

Tooling/equipment supplier: Century Tool & Gage

This second-row seat back successfully meets the extremely challenging ECE luggage-retention load case through the use of unidirectional glass-reinforced GMT composite rather than typical steel. The compression-moulded design, which required over 100 iterations of FEA

eliminates

from the earlier steel design and saves 3.1 kg/car in a thinner construction that also is easier to install.

Chassis/Hardware

Co-ex thermoplastic coolant tubeRenault Group, 2015 Renault Twingo city car

System supplier: Tristone Flowtech

Material processor: Tristone Flowtech

Material supplier: DuPont Automotive

Resin: Zytel LC6200 PA612

This co-extruded coolant tube with patented bellows design replaced aluminium tubing and rubber hose while meeting all the high-temperature and high-pressure demands of the coolant system. The co-ex tube uses functionalized high temperature PP with hydrolysis-resistant PA 6/12 to withstand internal temperatures to 125 C and external temperatures to 150 C.

formability vs. previous technology.

Hall of Fame

General Motors Co, 1984 E/K Platform

System supplier: Nexteer Automotive

Material processor: ABC Group Inc.

Material supplier: DuPont Automotive

Resin: Hytrel TPC-EC

(TPE) constant velocity joint (CVJ) half-shaft drive-axle boot seal used on 1984 MY E/K platform produced by then General Motors Corp. was selected as the 2014 Hall of Fame winner. This application was a far more robust CVJ sealing solution that also was lighter, more durable, and less costly than the injection-moulded rubber boots it replaced. It has been in continuous use on GM cars and trucks for 30 years, and 85% of front-axle CVJ boot seals on light-duty vehicles worldwide now use TPE in this application.

Thermoplastic CV/J boot seal


Process/Assembly/Enabling Technologies

Single-collimator moulded LED lensFord Motor Co, 2015 Ford F-150 pickup

System supplier: Ventra Plastics Div. of Ventra, Group Inc. /Flex-N-Gate Corp.

Material processor:

Material supplier: Bayer MaterialScience

Resin: Makrolon LED 22.4.5 PC

Tooling/equipment supplier:

DESIGN

Materials

Metallic appearance finish panelsFord Motor Co, 2015 Ford

Mondeo sedan

System supplier: International Automotive Components

Material processor: Key Plastics Löhne GmbH

Material supplier: Samsung Chemical

Resin: Luminous LX-1098 PC/ABS

Tooling/equipment supplier: Michael Tool & Mold Ltd


Cellulose fibre composite console armrestFord Motor Co, 2013 Lincoln MKX luxury CUV

System supplier: Johnson Controls, Inc.

Material processor: Johnson Controls, Inc.

Material supplier: Weyerhaeuser NR Co.

Resin: Thrive 20DX235 PP

Environmental

Color and material combinationsthat make you say “Wow!”

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Objet500®

For whatever your mind can imagine,

visit stratasys.com/Objet500 Connex3.

TEL: +27 (0) 11 462 2990

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TEL: +27 (0) 11 462 2990

FAX: +27 (0) 11 462 8229

e-mail: [email protected]

MACHINERY (PTY) LTD“One total solution for Injection Moulding”

Untitled-1 1 2014/03/26 8:33 PM

Powertrain

Crankshaft cover with integrated oil sealVolkswagen AG, 2014 MDB

engine platform

System supplier: Kaco GmbH + Co. KG

Material processor: Engel Austria GmbH

Material supplier: DSM Engineering Plastics B.V.

Resin: EcoPaXX Q-HG10 PA 4/10

Tooling/equipment supplier: Elmet GmbH

DESIGN


German university revolutionises electric

car design, production methods

www.stratasys.com

A StreetScooterC16 is expected to typically weigh 450kg excluding battery, has a range of 100km and delivers a top speed of 100km/h, making it an ideal city vehicle

3D printedstreet scooter

Deadline loomsfor heavy metal-free pipes ruling

MANUFACTURERS of PVC pipes in South Africa have only a couple of months left to ensure that their products are compliant with the Southern African Bureau of Standards’ (SABS) ruling that all locally manufactured pipes be free of heavy metals by July 2015.

This ruling was announced by

Sibongile Dhlamini, General Manager

October 2013, following an amendment

of a series of standards by the technical

committee of the SABS Standard

Division.

The Southern African Plastics Pipe

Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA),

representing more than 80% of the

country’s pipe manufacturers, welcomed

the announcement.

SAPPMA members started process as

early as 2006

“SAPPMA’s aim is to support the industry

in promoting quality products. To this

end, we work closely with the SABS in

matters of standards and quality through

implementing various quality-assurance

measures and initiatives, as well as

demanding additional good practice

measures from our members,” explains

SAPPMA chairman, Jan Venter.

According to Venter, SAPPMA

members had already embarked on

a voluntary removal of heavy metal

stabilizers from their PVC pipes as

early as 2006. The policy was fully

implemented by SAPPMA in July 2009

and applied to drinking water systems as

well as sewer, drainage and mine pipes.

Although lead does not leach from

the plastic pipes and does not pose

any danger to people once installed,

SAPPMA felt compelled to create a

safer environment for the manufacturers

where lead poisoning does pose a

risk for their workers. As a result, all

PVC pipe manufactured by SAPPMA

members are lead-free and are stabilised

with environmentally friendly materials

such as Calcium Zinc or organics-based

stabilisers instead.

Supports SAPPMA’s life cycle

thinking

“Removing heavy metals from their pipes

PVC pipes was done at considerable

cost to our members, but was wholly

supported because it was in line

with SAPPMA’s life cycle thinking,

took into account end-of-life issues,

waste management options and was

based on health and environmental

considerations,” Venter said.

“Adherence to the policy has been a

requirement for SAPPMA membership

over the past eight years, and as such

has formed part of the regular SAPPMA

factory audits”, he added.

The SABS gave local manufacturers

window period

of 24 months to

get their house

in order and to

comply with the

new relevant

standard

requirements. However, this grace

period ends on the 31st of July 2015,

after which companies found to be non-

compliant could see steps taken against

them by the Standards Bureau. Pipes

bearing the SABS mark of quality will

also have to be re-submitted for testing

in order to be issued with new permits.

“In the interest of the consumer and

good business practice, the SABS

strongly promotes the highest possible

product quality standards as well as

environmentally friendly manufacturing

processes and materials. We urge

companies to ensure they comply and

that all heavy metals are removed from

their manufacturing process in time for

the deadline,” said Venter.

PVC pipe manufacturers needing

assistance with the process can

contact SAPPMA on (011) 314-4021 or

via email at [email protected]

For more information about the new

standard, visit https://www.sabs.

co.za/Business_Units/Standards_SA/

Controls/Published_Standards/

PS138H.PDF

PVC pipe manufactures have until July to ensure compliance

www.sappma.co.za

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According to

SAPPMA chairman,

Jan Venter, SAPPMA

members had already

embarked on a

voluntary removal

of heavy metal

stabilizers from their

PVC pipes as early as

2006. The policy was

fully implemented

by SAPPMA in July

2009 and applied

to drinking water

systems as well as

sewer, drainage and

mine pipes

ASSOC NEWS - SAPPMA-1.indd 40 2015/02/17 10:37 AM

CONTACT US

P.O. Box 1070, Kempton Park, 1620

Johannesburg, South Africa

Tel : +27(11) 552 6200

Fax : +27(11) 552 6499

Email : [email protected]

SUN ACE South Africa (Pty) Ltd

12 Innes Road, Jet Park 1459,

East Rand

Johannesburg

GPS: S26° 09.957’

E028° 12.610’

The World’s leading

producers of PVC additives

and metallic stearates

www.sunace.co.za

SA Plastic SunAce FP Dec-Jan FA.indd 1 2013/11/15 10:37 AM

THE Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association

(SAPPMA) used the occasion of its 10th Annual General

Meeting to announce exciting changes to the Association’s

Board of Directors and announce the winners of the

Association’s 2014 Merit Awards.

Commenting on SAPPMA’s successes and highlights of

the past year, Venter said they had seen evidence that the

association’s hard work to ensure quality standards are being

adhered to, is paying off. “Our recent rounds of pipe quality

surveys have all shown a positive downward trend, indicating

that we are seeing fewer incidences of non-conformance in

the pipe production,” he said.

New board of directors

The SAPPMA Board consists of six or seven nominated

members of the industry who are tasked with providing

assistance to the Association’s direction, strategy,

Chairman Jan Venter welcomed the following new directors

for 2015: Gerhard Kotzee (DPI Plastics/Dawn Infrastructural

division), Hein Momberg (Fiberpipe), Ronnie Kruger (Marley

Pipe Systems), Tony Dean (Rare Plastics), David Mokomela

(Sasol) and Bernhard Mahl (Safripol).

Merit Award winners

The winners of the 2014 Merit Awards were also announced,

based on their contribution to SAPPMA and frequency of

attending meetings. The winners of this year’s awards were

Renier Snyman of DPI Plastics, Ian Venter of Marley Pipe

Systems, Ralph Mosikidi Marley Pipe Systems and George

Diliyannis of Safripol.

manufacturing environment, our members have managed to

not only to hang on to their businesses, but in some instances

even grow their operations. We are proud to represent more

than 80% of the plastic pipe market that is building a name

and a reputation for being strong, resilient and tenacious. We

are looking forward to 2015 and will meet every challenge and

opportunity that comes across our path with the same can-do

attitude that has come to exemplify

our industry,” said Jan.

ENTRIES are open for the South African Plastics Pipe

Manufacturers’ Association (SAPPMA)’s 6th annual golf day,

which takes place on Friday, 27 March at the Blue Valley

Golf and Country Estate in Midrand.

Named for the blue skies and open country of its

surroundings, this Gary Player designed Blue Valley is a

perfect blend of hospitality, sport and nature. It is situated

conveniently between northern Johannesburg and Pretoria,

and offers a location second to none in the Gauteng area.

The entry fee for fourballs has remained unchanged from

previous years at R3 500. Various sponsorship opportunities

are available for companies in the plastic pipe industry to

promote their corporate brands on the day, including:

Tee/Hole at R4 000

Halfway House at R4 000

Caps/Shirts at R6 000 (logo)

Corporates are also welcome to sponsor team prizes

(4 items of your choice)

“The SAPPMA golf day is a hugely popular event and a

day on the industry calendar that nobody wants to miss,”

said SAPPMA CEO Jan Venter. “Last year’s event saw 80

course tested every aspect of the players’ game and provided

even the longest hitters with a challenge. We are looking

forward to an equally exciting course and hosting a day that

is punctuated with a sense of camaraderie and fun”.

A prize giving will conclude the day’s activities. For more

information or entry forms, visit the SAPPMA website or contact

Louise Muller on email on [email protected]

SAPPMA announces

new board of directors at AGM

SAPPMA golf day on 27 March

www.sappma.co.za42 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

Jan Venter with the winners of this year’s awards, Renier Snyman of

DPI Plastics, Ralph Mosikidi of Marley Pipe Systems, Ian Venter of

Marley Pipe Systems. Absent: George Diliyannis of Safripol

ASSOCIATION NEWS

ASSOC NEWS - SAPPMA-1.indd 42 2015/02/17 10:37 AM

To be held at the

CATHEDRAL PEAK HOTEL

THE DRAKENSBURG

KWAZULU NATAL, SOUTH AFRICA

Thursday 18 Juneto Sunday 21 June 2015

Programme

Thursday 18 June 2015:

Delegates arrive

Friday 19 June 2015:

Conference commences

Saturday 20 June 2015:

Conference continues

Sunday 21 June 2015:

Delegates depart

For more information on this event visit

www.iom3.co.za

Contact

Wendy Knott Craig

The PR Junction

Email: [email protected]

Mobile +27 (0)73 201 8699

BOOKINGS CLOSE WEDNESDAY 13 MAY 2015

22nd National RubberConference

You are invited to attend the IOM3 Southern Africa

We look forward to welcoming you at the 2015 Conference

PVC recycling in SAto be placed under the spotlight

THE Southern African Vinyls

Association (SAVA) has tasked Annabé

Pretorius of Plastix 911 to conduct its

and size of PVC recycling currently

According to the South African

40 recyclers around South Africa that

all focus on building and construction

but it has to be seen in the context of

Companies who want to ensure

they are part of the survey, or

who have any queries, should

contact Annabé at email: annabe@

absamail.co.za

Approximately 40 recyclers in South Africa recycle PVC products

Delanie Bezuidenthout (SAVA CEO) and Annabé Pretorius of Plastix 911. SAVA has tasked Annabé

ASSOCIATION NEWS

www.savinyls.co.za


ASSOC NEWS-POLYCO+IOM-1.indd 43 2015/02/17 10:37 AM

PETCO’S ‘Legacy Project,’ through which the

PET recycling business is assisting challenged

introduction of a range of quilts manufactured from

recycled PET fabric and rPET batting.

The fabric and batting are made from ‘repurposed’

PET bottles that were collected and processed in

South Africa, together with project partners Propet and

Romatex. The quilts can be folded into a pillow with a

limited living spaces and even homeless individuals.

to organisations that run ‘swop shops’ in the Western

Cape in December.

hundreds of women and children in disadvantaged

communities, who bring recyclables – mainly PET bottles – in

exchange for tokens that can be used at the swop shops to

‘buy’ essentials,” said Lisa Parkes, marketing manager of

PETCO.

In due course the quilts will also be made available to swop

shops and other similar channels in other parts of the country.

PETCO last year celebrated its 10th anniversary, and

the Legacy Project honours the decade of achievement,

highlighting the value of PET and its end markets, and

acknowledges PETCO’s role as part of a larger community.

“We want to contribute in a tangible way to show that

we care about our communities. The project represents

caring combined with conscience,” said Parkes. “We are

demonstrating that recycling and repurposing of recycled

materials has far-reaching implications. Not only does

recycling protect natural resources and address some of the

are in themselves valuable – and in a case like this, can put a

smile on the face of a needy child.”

A number of Swop Shops are now operating in the Western

Cape, in Hermanus as well as at two

informal settlements in Cape Town.

THE Association of Rotational

Moulders of Southern Africa

(ARMSA) will be holding its Annual Conference

Rotation 2015 on 20 and 21 May at The Blades

Conference Centre in Pretoria, Gauteng.

The theme for Rotation 2015 will be ‘The Good the

Bad and the Ugly of Rotational Moulding’ focussing

on aspects of moulds, machines, outsourcing,

production management and control, material, energy

consumption and other exciting relevant topics ...

Rotation 2015 promises to be enlightening, with

both international and local speakers, including

comprehensive presentations from local moulders.

Furthermore, the ARMSA committee welcomes

any form of sponsorship from players in the industry.

Should you be interested in sponsorship, kindly please

also contact Petro Geldenhuys at [email protected]

44

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Collectors obtain tokens which can then be

used at ‘Swop Shops’

www.petco.co.za

www.armsa.co.za [email protected]

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Legacy Project reaches out a comforting hand to the needy

Cheri Scholtz (PETCO), Maria Van der Westhuizen (Recycle Swop Shop),

Helmut Höck (Romatex) and Jorge Fonseca (Propet) with one of the quilts

made from rPET that were introduced to the market in December

The Good, the Bad & the Ugly of Rotational

Moulding at ROTATION

2015

ASSOC NEWS-PETCO+PCA+ARMSA-1.indd 44 2015/02/17 10:32 AM

CHOOSE THE NUMBER ONE.

Self-service. Redefined.

INTAREMAThe new system generation from EREMA.

Reaching perfect pellet quality at the press of a button: the new INTAREMA®

features the intelligent Smart Start operating concept, bringing together production effi ciency and remarkably straight-forward operation. This is all about usability. Including an ergonomic touchscreen, practical recipe management and automated standby mode.

Relloy S.A. (Pty) Ltd / 27 Mopedi Road

Sebenza / Evendale, 1609 / Gauteng

Tel: +27 11 452 3724 / [email protected]

www.relloy.co.za

PLASTIC convertors in SA are legally required to

Get your legally required

employee related posters

from the PCA

Leonie Coulson and Christo Steenkamp, both from Sebor, and

Belinda Ford and Belinda Geffen, both from Reinforce Hosing

Margot Viana

of Vee Plastics,

Carol Klomfass

of PCA and

Linda Lyons of

Pro-Viro

Vincent Keesenberg of Transpaco Bronkhorstspruit Maria Wilson, PCA legal advisor, Davel Kirsten and Hannes Smit of Trogtek

FE

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RC

H 2

01

5 4

5

ASSOC NEWS-PETCO+PCA+ARMSA-1.indd 45 2015/02/17 10:32 AM

Will service approximately 3,000 households

Vaalpark recycling separation- at-source project launched

AFTER three years of planning,

preparation and resource mobilisation,

the Vaalpark recycling separation-at-

source project has been launched in

Vaalpark in northern Free State. The

project focuses on collecting recyclables

from approximately 3 000 households

around the Vaalpark residential area.

The Ikageng Ditamating Co-

operative, waste pickers that previously

responsible for collecting the recyclables

from households once a week. The

22-member co-operative sorts materials

at their site and then bales it before it is

sold to recyclers.

The Vaalpark recycling project has been

made possible through the contributions

of many sponsors and role-players. These

include all the Recovery Action Group

(RAG) members; Collect-a-Can, the Glass

Recycling Company, Plastics|SA, Tetra

Pak, Polyco, PRASA, PETCO and the

Polystyrene Packaging Council.

PISA KZN entered a team in the Chatsworth Drug Rehabilitation

Golf Forum annual golf day. The team was sponsored by

GPS Plastics and comprised Anan Govender, PISA national

chairman Garth Taylor, GPS director Kevin Govender and

national Springbok selector Ian McIntosh. The team came 5th

and if it was not for the intermittent rain the day would have been

a great success. GPS through Kevin Govender does a great deal for

different charities in KZN and has supported the Drug Forum for the

past 12 years

Delanie Bezuidenhout (CEO of the Southern African Vinyls

Association), Belinda Booker (PETCO project manager) and

Duart Hugo (DESTEA deputy director) celebrate the launch of the

Vaalpark recycling separation at source project

The Ikageng Ditamating Co-operative comprises waste pickers that previously

materials at their site and then bales it before it is sold to recyclers


www.petco.co.za

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AMOGELANG Secondary School in Soshanguve, Pretoria was

crowned the winner of the 2014 PEN-Schools Recycling competition.

PEN-Schools is a joint venture project between the PET Recycling

Company (PETCO), the Wildlife and Environment Society of South

Africa (WESSA) and Nampak and aims to promote waste reduction

activities at schools and their respective local communities.

Throughout the year, participating schools were encouraged to

collect as much recyclable material as possible. Efforts culminated

in September with the collection of 22 tons of recyclables of which

close on 4 tons of PET bottles

Soshanguve learners win

2014 PEN-Schools Recycling

PISA KZN enjoys Chatsworth

Drug Rehabilitation Golf day

ASSOC-PISA+PETCO-1.indd 46 2015/02/17 10:33 AM

separation- at-source project launched

“This has been a long

journey and the efforts of all the

contributors cannot be taken for

granted,” said Belinda Booker,

PETCO’s category B projects

manager.

PETCO has been instrumental in

training the co-operative members

and also providing equipment

support. PETCO sponsored eight

cages for recyclable collection

which will be placed at shopping

centres and schools. The cages will

be collected once they are full and

Co-operative. According to Booker,

“PETCO is committed to offering

ongoing support to ensure that the

project becomes a success.”

Government involvement

collection for recycling project in

which all spheres of government

are involved. The National

Tourism and Environmental

fully support the project.

great example of a successful

public-private partnership model

and we are very proud to be part

that more local residents will

of recycling for both the local

economy and the environment.”

PETCO sponsored eight of the cages for recyclable

collection which will be placed at shopping centres

and schools. The cages will be collected once they are

of the compactor

Judd Lombard (UJ)

Manhole cover


www.petco.co.za

ASSOC-PISA+PETCO-1.indd 47 2015/02/17 10:33 AM


PLASTIC associations globally are

Plastics|SA is a signatory to the

4-6 June

waterways.

www.plasticsinfo.co.za

185 separate projects to combat plastic marine debris

Renewedcommitment

The 5 Gyres Institute recently released new

research that estimates some 5.25 trillion

plastic particles weighing about 269,000 tons

All stakeholders in the area were

which has considerable recycling

www.polystyrenepackaging.co.za

ASSOC-PLASTICS SA-1.indd 48 2015/02/17 10:36 AM

CONTACT US: Tel/fax: 032 944 2860 | www.quadplastic.co.zaByron Nunes: 082 778 8713 ([email protected]) | Neville Lategan: 082 498 2198 ([email protected])

Quality machinery and componentsccpQUAD

lastics

THE Sustainability Division of Plastics|SA was honoured

for the commitment it has shown over the past 18 years

to rid the environment of plastic litter by being awarded

the Corporate External Award at the Ezemvelo KZN

Wildlife/Old Mutual Excellency Awards for 2014.

“Forming partnerships is an indispensable

component of Emzemvelo KZN Wildlife’s responsibility

to protect the biodiversity in our province. Since 1996,

Plastics|SA has partnered with us in helping deal with

the problem of marine litter,” said Dr Bandile Mkhize,

CEO of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife.

“We are particularly grateful for their support,

which now amounts to some 18 years of sustained

assistance. Their generous contribution has

included providing more than 400 000 clean-

up bags for KZN beach clean-ups, a monetary

turtle research and sponsoring a boat for clean-ups

in the Durban Mangroves,” he added.

Receiving the award on behalf of Plastics|SA,

Sustainability Director Douw Steyn emphasized

that sustainability is one of the six core functions of

Plastics|SA, the mouthpiece of the entire plastics

industry.

“The plastics sector is uniquely placed to meet

the needs of a sustainable society and to deliver

solutions to many challenges, such as climate

change, water scarcity, resource usage and energy

recovery,” Steyn said.

“Looking after the environment is a key driving

take. We have been mandated to ensure a vibrant

and sustainable plastics industry in South Africa, and

take this task very seriously. We are relentless in

our efforts as we educate people that “Plastics don’t

litter. People do.” Plastic litter doesn’t belong in the

be recycled to create new useful products without

adding strain on our natural resources,” he explained.

Steyn concluded that they are very proud of

receiving the award and appreciated the recognition

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife has shown to the association.

“We look forward to building an even stronger

partnership in the years to come as we are united in

our mutual passion to protect the biodiversity in the

province and therefore support each other

in every way we can”.

ASSOCIATION NEWS

Receiving the

award on behalf

of Plastics|SA,

Sustainability

Director Douw Steyn

emphasized that

sustainability is one of

the six core functions

of Plastics|SA,

the mouthpiece of

the entire plastics

industry


www.plasticsinfo.co.za

Plastics|SA winsprestigious environmental award

ASSOC-PLASTICS SA-1.indd 49 2015/02/17 10:36 AM

Myplas

Italian Plastic Technologies

Mountain View Plastics

Polymark Recycling

EMET

Moiware t/a Coastal Recycling

POLYCO announces names of successful applicants for second round of proposals

Mandy Naudé, chief executive

with successful applicants from

four of the six companies that will

receive total investment loans of

R7 million over the next six months

recycling operations. From left: Riaan

Brenkman of Mountain View Plastics,

Eban and Miri Moses of EMET, Cris

and Vavi Vassarotti of Italian Plastics

Technologies, Mandy Naudé and Rudi


R7 million

www.polyco.co.za

POLYCO’s goal is to achieve a recycling rate of 35% (or 239

000 tons)recycled out of a total

market share of an estimated 680 000

tons by 2020.

ASSOC NEWS-POLYCO+IOM-1.indd 50 2015/02/17 10:42 AM

374C2726C 279C 116C 368C

637C

716C

214C


NEW CASTLE, U.S.A. – A high-rate

plasticizing unit incorporating an

innovative screw design produces

enhanced-quality melt at rates that

make possible shorter cycles in

injection moulding of high-speed,

thin-wall packaging, says Nordson

Corporation of the United States.

The Nordson Xaloy Quantum™

plasticizing system includes a barrier

screw designed to increase the rate of

plastication for unmelted material while

minimizing shear forces on polymer that

is already in a molten state. Along with

the innovative screw, Nordson supplies

a custom-designed poppet-style

channels prevent polymer degradation

and whose rapid shut-off ensures shot-

to-shot consistency.

“The Quantum system delivers

optimum melt quality at a rate that

reduces actual screw recovery time

by 10 to 15% in comparison with

existing high-performance plasticizing

units, enabling it to keep pace with

the exceedingly short cooling times

in high-volume production of thin-wall

parts,” said Tony Genova, engineering

supervisor for screw manufacture.

“Moulders who use the Quantum

processing system are often able

to reduce cycle times, increasing

on investment.”

A barrier screw has a middle section

designed to separate solids from molten

polymer so that the heat and shear

forces applied to the solids can be

maximized, increasing the plastication

rate.

“In the screw for the Quantum

system, we strive for a mass balance

throughout the length of the screw,

accommodating the differential between

the bulk density of the pellets being fed

into the system and the density of the

molten polymer,” said Mr Genova.

Nordson custom designs each screw

for the Nordson Xaloy plasticizing

requirements.

Nordson Corporation engineers,

manufactures and markets differentiated

products and systems used for the

precision dispensing of adhesives,

coatings, sealants, biomaterials,

polymers, plastics and other materials,

UV curing and plasma surface treatment,

all supported by application expertise and

direct global sales and service. Nordson

serves a wide variety of consumer non-

durable, durable and technology end

markets including packaging, nonwovens,

electronics, medical, appliances, energy,

transportation, construction, and general

in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake,

Ohio, the company has operations and

RJ CORPS, the biggest franchisee of PepsiCo

line from Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion at the plant

of Varun Beverages located in Alwar, Rajasthan.

for packaging of Pepsi bottles and water bottles

Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion has equipped

the line with state-of-the-art Evolution Ultra Range

extruders and Ultra Cool technology for high output

systems, with an output of up to 700kg/h with

Varun’s recipes.

The line is also provided with an Evolution WP

winder of the newest generation ensuring fast

winding and multi up rolls. The industry leading

Evolution C automation system developed by

Reifenhäuser Kiefel features an intuitive user interface and

24“ touch screen panel that enables Varun Beverages’

employees to get familiar with the operation of the line, rapidly

and without problem.

New plasticizing unit

boosts thin-wall packaging output

Ultra Cool technology for high output

Nordson Xaloy plasticizing system reduces screw recovery time by 10-15%

EQUIPMENTNew screw –

EQUIP-NORDSON+REIFENHAUSER.indd 52 2015/02/17 10:20 AM

MOULD & Die Solutions (MDS) have a new alliance with yet another prestigious Milacron group company, Tirad. Together with their association with DME, this allows Mould & Die Solutions to offer a unique service to the toolmaking industry in South Africa.

Tirad is a specialist, high precision Czech manufacturer of custom mould bases, specialising in large size, multi-cavity mould bases. Whilst Tirad do not produce complete injection moulds, their mould bases are supplied to toolrooms for

complete the mould or tool. Internationally this trend is adopted by the toolmaking industry to shorten the lead time in the mould manufacturing process.

Tirad’s services include:Complete production of custom mould bases, including plates, frames and various other components for injection mouldsHot runner manifold plates produced to manufacturers’

Specialist CNC machining, up to 10,000 x 3,500mm with a maximum weight of 20 tonsGun drilling with NC-dumper axis Mould base assembly complete with componentsDie casting and press tools

Mould production accounts for 92% of Tirad’s turnover – of which 100% is exported throughout Europe, as well as the USA, Canada and Ireland. Current market sectors serviced are medical and pharmaceutical, food and beverage packaging and

FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 53www.tirad.cz www.m-d-s.co.za

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PET preforms.Quality is critical to

Tirad’s business – with EN ISO

their specialist CNC machining division), Tirad leave nothing to chance. Finish machining is done in a controlled air-conditioned environment and a 3D measured report is supplied with each work piece.

Mould base machining capacities available are:2,300 x 1,600 x 1,000mm maximum plate size12 ton plate weightGun drilling up to a depth of 1,500mm from one side, in diameters ranging from 4.0 to 44.45mmPositioning accuracies of +/-0.01mm/1000mm and diameters and pockets of +/-0.005mm

Tirad’s monthly capacity is in excess of 300 plates for multi-cavity injection moulds and eight large work pieces up to 20 tons per month, dependent on their complexity.

For more information or a quote, contact:Radek Dvorak – Tirad International Sales Manager, [email protected] Carter - Mould and Die Solutions, [email protected]

Tirad’s monthly capacity in excess of 300 plates for multi-cavity injection moulds

Tirad is a specialist, high precision Czech manufacturer of custom

mould bases, specialising in large size, multi-cavity mould bases

Super-sized high precision custom mould bases from Mould and Die Solutions & Tirad

High-quality pelletising of post-

EQUIPMENT

Provides plastic resin equivalent to virgin material for manufacture of high quality products

Virgin material is not entirely without defects – A high molecular polymer matrix out of PE with an MFI of 8 (on the left) embeds a gel with a very much lower MFI. The photo on the right shows a polymer defect in virgin material which found its way to the outer layer of a

Failure in fi lms –

impurities within the polymer matrix during the manufacturing process can become is displayed in these images: the left photo shows a hole in the

led to the damage. In this instance, a particle of poorly dissolved additive

A hole at the edge of an

of starch introduced into the polymer stream by a contami-nated silo transporter

54

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The S:GRAN recycling machine from NGR

High quality resin from production waste

The basic design of a modern shredder-feeder-extruder combination for the pelletizing of

provide excellent results, with the best systems

level of automation into account

Inserat_SAPlastics_2015_210x140mm_5mm.indd 1

Big enough to innovate,small enough to cooperate!

It takes sophisticated technology to make plastics recycling

sustainable and more efficient and to continuously improve pellet quality.

And it takes commitment to really be successful.

SIMPLY ONE STEP AHEAD

Next Generation Recyclingmaschinen GmbH

www.ngr.at

Visit us @ Austria Showcase

Plastic Industry in South Africa ^ March 09 - 13, 2015

www.technimac.co.za

Inserat_SAPlastics_2015_210x140mm_5mm.indd 1 28.01.2015 16:13:57


takes place in the temperature controlled extruder by applying as little shear as possible. Melt temperature as well as melt pressure should be maintained at the lowest possible level.

Besides keeping temperature and pressure settings under control, there are several other design aspects to consider:

plastic mass can accumulate;

and maintenance of any machine part

which comes into contact with the material;

molten plastic to minimise the shear applied to the material.

Filtration of the molten mass

to the level of contamination of the waste material versus the desired purity of the recycled pellets. In all plastic

impurities and separates them from the

demands, combinations of various different meshes are arranged to provide

plastics recycling.

www.ngr.at

If polymers with different melting points are accidentally mixed, it can result in a

on the right provides the cross-section view. The gel consists of HDPE which is included in a PP matrix

A classic ‘black spot,’ which is thermally damaged, cracked polymer. Black spots appear in the material because of

molten plastic mass

mer matrix. These particles are usually brought into the polymer stream by

using improper machine cleaning cloth and due to ineffective maintenance

design of machines

TAKE a global leader in providing

innovative engineering thermoplastic

solutions across the world and match

it with a South African organisation

that has an acclaimed track record

for importing, manufacturing and

distributing quality plastics for a range of

formula for a synergistic partnership.

January 2015 brought an exciting

dimension to the business of Ampa

Group (Pty) Ltd, with its appointment as

the sole distributor for SABIC Innovative

Plastics’ Lexan polycarbonate sheet

For Ampa Group, the distributorship

is a solid endorsement of its long

held commitment to innovation and

continuous improvement.

People power = business power

A key Ampa Group philosophy is

rooted in the belief that strategic

knowledge and cutting edge skills are

the cornerstones on which successful

businesses are built. To this end there

is relentless focus on hiring the right

people for the job and augmenting

their capabilities at every level with

continuous training and development.

Lexan is no stranger to the South

African market. For the past 32 years its

products have been used extensively

with great success. In a similar way,

Dean Treges and Victoria Majoni are

no strangers to Lexan products. As a

result, it made perfect sense for the

Ampa Group to bring them onboard. In

conjunction with their comprehensive

experience in dealing with Lexan

of the plastics industry will add

considerable value to the operations of

the Group and its respective customers.

The world’s most innovative portfolio

Particularly exciting is SABIC’s Lexan

Thermoclear polycarbonate sheet

multipurpose sheeting is available in

a variety of structures, colours and

Each lightweight sheet combines

ease of installation with excellent

thermal insulation alongside UV and

the product’s high desirability amongst

architects, builders and roofers is its

The availability of the sheeting in an

array of colours that includes clear, opal

white, solar control, blue, bronze, grey

and green makes it ideally suited for

residential, greenhouse and commercial

roof glazing, building facades

and claddings in addition to

skylights and walkways.

Lexan Thermoclear sheets

are obtainable with a range

of speciality coatings such

as Easy Clean which is a

innovation. With UV

protection on both sides

and a hydrophobic coating

on the outer surface, it

causes large droplets of

water to form which then

wash away dirt.

Thermoclear SunXP sheets are

ultra UV resistant and serve to lower

radiation, yellowing and loss of light

transmission. As an added bonus

they come with a 15 year guarantee.

Thermoclear Dripguard sheets

have a specially developed coating

on the inner surface that reduces

condensation droplets.

Ampa Group will also be distributing

9030 and WLS sheeting, both of

which have become something

of a necessity in South African

construction today. Combining high

impact resistance with excellent

optical clarity, the sheeting delivers

superior protection against intrusion.

Marguard sheeting has all the

properties of polycarbonate material

with an additional proprietary hard

surface coating on either one or both

sides. As a result it is highly resistant

to abrasion and damage caused by

weather conditions.

FEAT

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SABIC& AMPA Group

– chemistry for a sustainable synergyAn equation that works

A new monorail seating

solution for Bombardier Transportation, using injection-

moulding rather

plastic and traditional thermoset processing

methods, uses the high performance Lexan FST

3403 resin, suitable for its high impact resistance, malleability to develop visually attractive designs and its light weight

AMPA GROUP.indd 56 2015/02/17 10:19 AM

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Lexan sheet products that are directly extruded from

advantages over many other glazing materials, especially

when it comes to design freedom and thermal insulation.

The fact that they are lightweight makes for ease of handling

performance test.

Alongside the various types of sheeting, Ampa will also

leading market warranties and full support from their Head

Two separate organisations with a similar mindset

to adapt swiftly to the ever changing requirements of its

to improving quality of life in the environments in which

lives around the world on a daily basis, Ampa replicates

this on a smaller scale in sectors that include the printing,

packaging, automotive, fabrication, construction and

engineering industries; as well as professional disciplines

such as architecture, interior and exterior design and quantity

surveying.

also set its sights on expanding its existing footprint on the

African continent.

At present it has distributorships in Namibia, Zimbabwe,

However, given the business opportunities it has recognized

their chemistry gels and the economic alliance they have

established has all the criteria for a sustainable, mutually

SABIC’S Lexan Thermoclear PC

sport stadium, Arena do Grêmio,

AMPA GROUP.indd 58 2015/02/17 10:19 AM

IF ANY of the 3,200 bumpers moulded each day

for the Golf 6, Golf GTI and Golf Plus models at

Volkswagen’s plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, does

not pass the strict 100% visual inspection, it can

be directly recycled to provide high quality regrind.

Rapid Granulator has installed a custom tailored

area of the Volkswagen plant. While meeting the

automotive manufacturer’s high safety standards,

the granulation equipment also had to be

integrated in an existing production hall without

Jannis Piep, from the plastics business unit

‘Bumper Planning’ at Volkswagen and responsible

for the new granulator project, is pleased with the

implemented solution. “Rapid mastered the big

challenge we had come up with and supplied a

granulator tailored to our needs at a perfect price/

performance ratio,” she said.

design a granulator that would

be capable of being fed with

up to three scrap bumpers at

one time and grinding them in

one step into low-dust regrind

demands, Rapid selected a

model of its new 600 Series

providing a cutterhouse opening of 1,200 x 800mm.

The granulator has a rotor diameter of 600mm and

a rotor length of 1,200 mm. Maximum throughput is

1,000kg/hr.

“Of course we don’t operate the machine at

this capacity,” said Piep, “but we need its large

A characteristic feature of the Rapid granulator

series is its ‘open-hearted’ design. The cutterhouse

maintenance and cleaning work to be performed

by one single operator. “The ease of handling

saves us time and money,” explained Piep. Thanks

to its double scissors cutting action, the machine

will grind even large parts at relatively low forces,

As to the constructional circumstances on-site,

the granulator had to be perfectly integrated into

the building. At the same time it needed to comply

of occupational safety, i.e. maintain escape ways,

potential risk of injury.

“Rapid met all these requirements and

team work,” said Piep.

Rapid Granulator is represented in South Africa by

Eder Design, tel: 012 253 1025

60 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015 www.rapidgranulator.com

Rapid Granulator has installed a custom tailored granulator in

inspection area of the Volkswagen plant. While meeting the automotive manufacturer’s high safety standards, the granulation equipment also had to be integrated in an existing production hall without any constructional

The regrind from the Rapid 600-120 granulator is separated from dust and any metals before being packaged in bags

EQUIPMENT

Bumpers rejected by quality control are easily recycled in the Rapid 600-120 granulator

Volkswagen chooses Rapid open-hearted 600-120 granulator

EQUIP-RAPID.indd 60 2015/02/17 10:18 AM

MATERIALS

A VERSATILE series of TPEs developed by Teknor Apex Company for consumer electronics provides the enhanced functionality, pleasing tactile properties, vivid colour, and durability that are particularly valuable for constant-use personal devices like in-ear headphones,

watches. The consumer electronics series of

compounds is part of the Monprene® family of TPEs. All products in the series exhibit resistance to skin oil, stains, household chemicals, and UV and are free of latex, phthalates, BPA and heavy metals. Grades for over-moulding show excellent adhesion to polycarbonate, ABS, and PC/ABS. Custom formulation by Teknor Apex makes possible a wide choice of surface properties – from plastic-like to rubbery, from silky smooth to ‘grippy’ and from glossy to matte. The compounds can be supplied in light, natural-coloured pellets or custom-coloured to match any requirement.

Besides custom-formulating any of the

Versatile TPEs for personal electronic devicesProvides enhanced functionality, pleasing tactile properties, vivid colour, durability

Monprene compounds to meet customer requirements, Teknor Apex can provide engineering support for application development and can supply identical formulations around the world.

Monprene OM-13255 and OM-13265 over-moulding compounds for wearable devices provide a silky smooth feel, with low surface friction in uses like wristbands. Their light natural colour allows for excellent colourability. The

compounds have excellent resistance to abrasion, skin oil, water, and weathering.

Monprene OM-16277 over-moulding 75 Shore A compound provides a

of 0.910. The compound is naturally translucent and can be used as-is or custom-coloured.

Recommended applications for Monprene®

MOULD BASE SADave Moore: 083 675 8325Danni: 074 589 3357Email: [email protected]

Dave Moore: 083 675 8325 | Fax: 086 540 0908 | www.mouldbasesa.co.za

Energy saving servo system

Proportional back pressure adjustment

6 tube water battery

Mould Clamp set

T Slot Platens

Hopper Slide

2 core pull circuits

2 Air Jet circuits

Double cylinders for carriage movement

Liquid grease lube system for toggles

Taiwanese Mirle Controller

Roller mounted rear covers for easy access

STANDARD FEATURES FOR SA MACHINES


EQUIPMENT

Hybrid manufacturing solutions the best of both worlds

New methodsfor process-oriented design of additive components

KR PLASTICS has had a very busy few months and recently

completed some interesting projects, including the commissioning

of an automated box packing machine for soft tubes and jars.

The company has also recently installed a multiple jar

system which allows the customer to stack the entire shift of

boxes to be packed without an operator.

KR Plastics started operations in July 2013 by owner Keith

Reading. With 15 years’ experience in the plastics industry,

working for many well know manufacturers and servicing agents,

starting his own company was an obvious step for Keith.

Plastics recently opened a branch in Umhlanga, Durban,

ensuring the company has technical and sales support

during 2014 and can now offer the entire plastics industry

experienced sales representatives and technicians. The

company also has technicians available for the rest of Africa.

KR Plastics specialises in the supply and building of

high-tech machinery and automation lines from Europe,

China and locally. Besides supplying and building machinery,

the company also services the majority of plastics industry

machines and attends to all breakdowns.

KR Plastics’ main focus is the supply of Wittmann Battenfeld

products. Wittmann Battenfeld offers a wide range of machines

to material handling systems and injection moulders. The

company also supplies Powerjet, Mingda, Mould-Shield,

Virginio Nastri, HYS and Kaihua machines and moulds.

KR Plastics’ range of expertise is vast, including injection

moulding and blow moulding machine rebuilds and repairs;

repairs and part supplies; Techmation controller installation;

plant automation and implementation, the manufacture of all

types of moulds, 2-D and 3-D drawings and part design; and

hydraulic to servo-hydraulic conversions.

The company also supplies recycling equipment, pelletizing

lines including water treatment plants for reusable water systems,

KR Plastics has increased its range of products and can now

offer instrumentation equipment for plants including acid, dairy

and food processing; a range of valves; chemical supplies; ball

and screw drives for electric, servo and stepper motors; linear

bearings and guides, and bushed guides roller and ball guides.

Contact KR Plastics on tel 011 708 1530 or 031 556 1929,

email: [email protected]

KR Plastics grows,

www.starlinger.com

Lashen Harinarain

CONCEPT Laser and RSC Engineering

GmbH (Cologne, Germany) have

oriented component designs using

LaserCUSING for complex components.

LaserCUSING-oriented design

is ideal for bionic or lightweight

construction approaches that produce

components with optimized geometries

and new possibilities in areas such

as functionality or resilience. RSC

Engineering is one of today’s design

pioneers that know how to incorporate

the component development process.

In an additive design context, the

advantages of LaserCUSING can be

maximized: optimized design, better

performance and increased added

value. Additional functions are now

possible, such as cooling, production

of moving parts in a one-shot process

without assemblies, or lightweight

structures that can

withstand heavy

stresses. Hybrid

manufacturing

solutions

(combination

of conventional

processes and

LaserCUSING) can

bring together the

best of both worlds.

An exhaust gas probe developed

by RSC Engineering is an excellent

example of intelligent additive design.

The probe is used to determine the

composition of engine exhaust gases

in a test system. The exhaust gas is up

to 2100°C and under high pressure.

Because of these high temperatures,

the exhaust gas probe also features

addition to six pipes for collecting the

exhaust gas. Conventional exhaust

gas probes are typically welded, which

is a time-consuming process.

By contrast, the exhaust gas probe

by RSC Engineering was manufactured

channels, using LaserCUSING.

The product costing analysis for

the exhaust gas probe showed that

manufacturing costs were reduced by

almost 60%.

Exhaust gas probe: single-

stage production combined

with integrated cooling in one

extremely compact component


www.concept-laser.de

EQUIP-Starlinger+Concept Laser.indd 62 2015/02/17 10:38 AM

Advanced sculpting techniques deliver 1.75 litre concept bottle

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Award for highly sculpted PET bottle

SCORCREATIVE at Amcor, the award-winning structural

design studio located at Amcor Rigid Plastics in the USA,

has won a bronze award from the Pentawards, a worldwide

packaging design competition. ScorCreative captured the

design honour in the concept packaging category for its highly

innovative Growler-type 1.75-litre liquor bottle which takes

ScorCreative achieved a major technical feat by applying

Amcor’s vast industry experience along with advanced

sculpted’ PET liquor bottles. This innovative concept

package design integrates a nautical theme with several

three-dimensional qualities including etchings of an octopus

sculpted into the bottle’s shape.

Amcor used several software systems which were adapted

from the gaming, animation, movie and automotive industries,

along with its proprietary process applications to accomplish

the project in an unconventional manner. Different elements

of each software programme were combined and then put in

the hands of an industrial designer who developed an artistic

rendition of the nautical theme. The PET container includes

around the shoulder of the bottle.

ScorCreative will adapt the learnings from this concept

design to ultimately create a commercial container that is not

only eye-catching but functional. A key goal is adapting the 3-D

CAD model and creating the intricate detail through the blow

moulding process, thus taking the design from concept to store

shelf.

PRODUCTS

Complementing the

highly sculpted design

is a unique die-cut

paper label which has

a treasure map design

with assimilated ‘burned’

edges. The ‘Hard to Port’

brand is targeted for the

commercialisation of a

dark rum liquor product

in North America

www.amcor.com

PRODS-AMCOR.indd 63 2015/02/17 10:39 AM

MATERIALS

A LIGHT, bright atmosphere is important for creating a feeling of hospitality in commercial spaces. However, a warm,inviting glow often comes at a price.

energy bills.

®

®

lamps’ optical mixing chamber, the area

use of renewable raw materials in

®

by the mass balance approach.

by renewable raw materials. The

is that fossil raw materials have


performance properties.

with metal parts.


BubblesUSA-based Plastic Technologies Inc is touting a technology

called Fi-Cell that dramatically alters the appearance of PET

bottles in a way the company believes opens up new markets

for the packaging stalwart.

As director of marketing and new business development

Fi-Cell to the market. For him, it’s an easy sell. He believes

foamed PET bottles are a game-changer.

“Today, the brand owner has a few seconds to catch a

consumer’s eye on a shelf. With

this technology, they can generate

a package that isn’t ‘Plain Jane’

anymore, that has snap and appeal

long after it leaves the store shelf,”

he said.

Fi-Cell creates monolayer

containers with a “visually-exciting

expensive metallic colourants,”

according to PTI.

Fi-Cell technology, which creates

tiny bubbles within PET, was actually

created by Toyo Seikan Co Ltd, who

was looking for a partner to help

expand its adoption. It joins PTI’s

own oPTI foam bottle technology

that was introduced years ago.

Foamed PET introduces liquid nitrogen during the creation

of preforms, which then become opaque when the bottles are

blow moulded.

“The cost of any foam bottle platform, no matter which one

we talk about, is all in the capital side. You have to modify the

injection moulding system to be able to foam the package.

After that, it’s like any other blow moulded package,”

more receptive to embossing than the regular stuff.

“PET has this wonderful characteristic of self-levelling. It

never wants to be sharp. It wants to level itself. But with oPTI

or Fi-Cell, we found we actually get some nice embossing

effects,” Puvak said.

“You’ve got these little bubbles that love to move a little bit,

so that’s what’s happening. You get this very nice embossing

effect. You will not see that in a standard PET bottle,” he said.

This provides companies with the opportunity to feature

their brand equity in their PET packaging.

Foamed PET also allows for the use of less colourant as

the tiny bubbles do not need to be coloured. “We colour the

PET and the foam comes along for the ride,” he said. Foamed

PET without colourant creates white or silvery opaque bottles.

Foamed bottles also can weigh up to 5% less than their

more pedestrian cousins, but Puvak said this technology

really isn’t about lightweighting.

“We don’t see lightweighting as the big key here. Really what

we see is the shelf differentiation and use of PET in another way,”

Puvak said. “All we’ve done is given PET another pathway to take.”

MOULD BASE SADave Moore: 083 675 8325Danni: 074 589 3357Email: [email protected]

IN STOCK

IN OUR KZN

WAREHOUSE

TOPSTAR ANCILLIARY

EQUIPMENT• Granulators

• Servo Robots

• Mould Temperature Controllers

• Hopper Loaders

• Hopper Dryers

• Dosing Units

• Conveyors

• Dehumidifying Driers

• Centralised Loading Systems

• Hopper Magnets

• Mould Clamps

• Full range of spare parts ex stock

• Custom Automation Projects from Design to Completion

Dave Moore: 083 675 8325 | Fax: 086 540 0908 | www.mouldbasesa.co.za

www.plastictechnologies.com

Ron Puvak and one of PTI’s foamed PET

bottles

PRODS-PLASTIC TECHNOLOGIES-1.indd 65 2015/02/17 10:17 AM


SIPA received an interesting call

recently from a fellow Italian company

which was developing an innovative

range of ultralight high-performance

compressed gas cylinders. CTS,

Composite Technical Systems, near

Udine (Italy), wanted

SIPA’s help in the

creation of an all-new

‘Type IV’ pressure

containers.

Type IV pressure

cylinders comprise a

plastic liner inside a

protective skin made

from a continuous

composite. They differ from Type I, II

and III pressure cylinders, which are

either partly or completely made from

metal and which weigh a lot more.

Type IV pressure cylinders are

already on the market, but virtually all of

the types produced to date have a liner

blow moulded in HDPE. CTS wanted

to use PET, which would be lighter and

give the liner a barrier to oxygen up to

as much as 100 times higher.

Initial target application for this new

invention is oxygen breathing tanks for

is much greater, ranging from scuba

diving kit, through fuel tanks for cars to

apparatus in outer space.

CTS came to SIPA to help it perfect

a process for making PET liners

that it had begun to develop on its

own, without achieving the results it

was looking for. It had developed its

own rudimentary injection moulding

machine, as well as an equally simple

blow moulding machine, which together

were capable of producing containers

with tolerances that were

unacceptable. In fact,

dimensions varied between

containers by a centimetre

or more! No two containers

were the same, and

machine operators were

constantly adjusting the

settings. Something had to

be done.

And done it was. SIPA’s experts

worked with the CTS team to create

a PET liner perfectly matched to the

application. The two companies worked

hand-in-hand on container development,

prototyping, testing, and production.

CTS general manager Giovanni

the work SIPA has done in helping to

create a product ready for the market

that offers the very highest levels of

safety. Production is now underway on

a range of the new pressure cylinders,

with volumes ranging from 2 to 9 litres.

The smallest one weighs 0.9kg and the

largest just 4.0kg – that’s about 30%

lighter than a cylinder with an aluminium

all-steel one. They can all withstand a

service pressure of 300 bar, and CTS

gives them an unlimited service life.

For its part, SIPA is very happy to be

working with such a highly innovative

customer.

“The collaboration with CTS has

provided us with extra insight into the

capabilities of PET as a packaging

material,” says Alberto Uliana of SIPA.

worked on an application where internal

pressures are so high! We have all

gained a lot from the experience.”

The two companies are now

collaborating on experimentation

with various types of plastics for the

liners that could provide even higher

performance in terms of oxygen barrier.

CTS is a new company, but the

experience of its founders in pressure

canisters dates back some 30 years.

With its highly innovative know-

how, CTS describes itself as ‘an

organization capable of grasping the

global opportunities that the composite

materials sector has to offer in the

patented its new technology for making

the PET liner around the world.

SIPA is now present in South Africa:

ph 021 418 2750; martina.bottarel@

zoppas.com

SIPA helps lightweight composite technical cylinders

work under pressurePET tank achieves far higher oxygen barrier

EQU

IPM

ENT

SIPA regional manager Giovanni de Rosa and

communications manager Martina Bottarel at

High pressure situation – SIPA has

developed the technology to produce high

Potential for use in applications such as scuba

diving, fuel tanks and apparatus in

outer space

EQUIP-SIPA.indd 66 2015/02/17 10:34 AM

MATERIALS


2nd-generation high-performancepolyester compound for LED TV’s

www.solvay.com

Delivers improved processability for higher yields, faster cycle times

SOLVAY Specialty Polymers has unveiled an enhanced version of its Lavanta®

high-performance polyester (HPP) for production of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) for televisions and backlight unit (BLU)

used materials are unable to withstand the higher heat and light output, discolouring prematurely in applications

Lavanta 5115 WH 224 is a 15% glass

terephthalate (PCT) compound

packaging applications that use surface

grade provides enhanced processibility versus other available PCTs which results in higher yields and shorter cycle

at a lower temperature (125°C) than competitive PCTs and still maintains

moulds enable cycle times to be reduced, resulting in lower energy use and

The Lavanta 5115 WH 224

improved processibility while maintaining its high heat and

light stability

product – Lavanta 5115 WH 224

processibility while maintaining its high

This second-generation material is an important achievement because it

of the LED industry, enabling

enhanced processibility is achieved

whiteness and whiteness retention of

The growing trend among television manufacturers is to use fewer LEDs

by sending higher current through the

Roediger Agencies cc

Dr Andy Roediger

021 887 0010

021 886 4731

[email protected]

Roediger Agencies ad '014 06.indd 1 2014/05/19 12:22 PM


ASTRONAUTS are printing up a storm

on the International Space Station (ISS)

and if the next phases of NASA’s additive

manufacturing project go according to

plan, they will soon be doing a lot more

than banging out wrenches and spare

parts in space.

space was a spare part for the printer

itself: an extruder casing, emblazoned

with the name of the printer’s

manufacturer, Made In Space, and the

NASA logo. It was quickly followed by a

side plate for the extruder casing.

extruded plastic in space. The space

station is the only laboratory platform in

microgravity that’s available,” said Niki

manager.

during November, ISS astronauts have

moved on to bigger items, including a

designed, approved and sent to space in

less than a week and printed in about four

a $1.4 million Small Business Innovation

based Made In Space, is testing the

feasibility of astronauts manufacturing

their own parts and tools in microgravity.

Taking additive manufacturing to

space will eventually minimize taking

parts and tools from Earth to space

— which comes with a $10,000 per

kilogram of launch weight price tag,

among other issues — and increase

parts and tools from this phase will

eventually head back to Earth to be

compared with the same objects

printed by an identical printer on the

ground.

But there is much more to the next

phase of the project than sending another

printer to space. Already going by the

acronym AMF for ‘additive manufacturing

for ISS will be commercial printer by

Made In Space.

In addition to being larger than the

most likely starting with PEEK and Ultem

because of the plastics’ strength, good

safety ratings and excellent thermal

properties. Ultem is used for making a

lot of the EVA (extravehicular activity, or

spacewalk) tools already.

SIPA, a leader in PET container production

known in the PET packaging sector.

The acquisition represents an important

strategic move for SIPA. It will enable the

company to extend its existing offering in

stronger position in the market for equipment

producing specialty products, such as

containers for pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,

fully in line with SIPA’s objective of becoming

a leader in the development and supply of

Automa ISBM machines are designed

for the production of containers in smaller

lots than SIPA’s existing units, with features

also characterized by their compact layouts

ISBM 50SR unit, for example, with a 500kN

injection clamp force, has a rated power

consumption of just 18.5 kW/h for machine,

hot runner system and PET loaders. The

discharge), consumes 20 kw/h.

SIPA provides the full range of PET

container production machines (single stage

machines, linear and rotary blow molders,

www.nasa.govwww.madeinspace.us

Made In Space’s 3-D printer

during microgravity testing

– Mike Chen (left) and Jason

zero-G 3D printer was validated

First time plastic heated & extruded in space

SIPA buys Automa PET business

Testing feasibility of astronauts manufacturing own parts, tools in microgravity

EQUIPMENT

The Automa machines

are suited for specialty

containers such as

pharmaceuticals

and cosmetics; its

acquisition by SIPA

is in line with SIPA’s

goal to be a leader in

and packaging

systems

www.sipa.it

EQUIP-3D PRINTING+SIPA.indd 68 2015/02/17 10:35 AM

High-speed extruder

coextrusion line with roll stack

Low energy consumption, extremely low noise level, 10% higher

High-speedextruder triumph continues

Thermoformed

cups, manufactured

on a battenfeld-

cincinnati extrusion

line with a high-

speed extruder

EQU

IPM

ENT

FOR more than ten years Battenfeld-Cincinnati,

the German-Austrian extruder specialist, has

achieved market success with a complete series

of high-speed extruders. Now the pioneer in

this special technology is extending its machine

portfolio by adding an adiabatic extruder which

The high-speed 34D-long single screw

extruders with a screw diameter of 75mm reach

outputs of up to 1.8 t/h and operate with screw

speeds of up to 1,500rpm. This is how the high

outputs can be achieved with a small machine

size and with optimal melt attributes too. The

extruders are used for PP, PS, APET, CPET, PLA

and PE processing as well as in PC sheet lines.

has now developed an adiabatic high-speed

This new process technology has made it possible

to reduce energy consumption by yet another

10% compared to the previous high-speed

models, which already use 25% less energy than

conventional extruders with the same output rates.

This machine is laid out for a medium output

range of 800kg/h (900 kg/h for PP and PS).

In addition to its low energy consumption, the

processing machine stands out by an extremely

low noise level in operation and a 10% higher

to its environment has also been reduced

considerably by the new process technology

concept.

www.battenfeld-cincinnati.com

Welltec Plastics has theinjection moulding machines to

meet your requirements.

PO Box 4567, Luipaardsvlei 1743Tel: (011) 762 5231 - Fax: (011) 762 5228Mobil: 083 255 9865 Les PorterEmail: [email protected]: www.edmshop.co.za

Excellentprices onexisting

stock

PO Box 4567, Luipaardsvlei 1743Tel: (011) 762 5231 - Fax: (011) 762 5228Mobil: 083 255 9865 Les PorterEmail: [email protected]: www.edmshop.co.za


EQUIP-BATTENFELD+KREATOR.indd 69 2015/02/17 10:35 AM

RecycleNet is a new app connecting

buyers and suppliers of recyclable

material in South Africa.

The service has the potential to

change the recycling industry in SA

for the better and completely change

the way companies in this sector do

business with each other, says developer

Oscar Baruffa, Founder of RecycleNet,

Johannesburg, who is pursuing the

recycling exchange platform zealously.

smartphone use, which will allow users to

access and sell or buy actively at any time

of the day, where-ever they are. First-time

users access a free trial which allows for

the downloading of the RecycleNet app

and voilà – you’re on your way!

RecycleNet launched in late October

operation managed to register 40 users

and saw some R5-million worth of

material listed including various plastics,

metals and paper.

“Initial reaction to the app has been

really good and even better than I could

have hoped for, but don’t let me tell you

that - have a look at the testimonials on our

website!” says Baruffa, “The app is easy

to use and helps buyers and suppliers

connect directly with one another. It’s

continually being improved and with new

features being added it will soon become

an indispensable tool for anyone involved

in buying or selling material.”

70

FE

BR

UA

RY

/ M

AR

CH

20

15

The new Norres website offers customers

a range of new online services. Thanks to

the relaunch, the new responsive website

design is compatible with all end devices.

The mobile Web app is quick and

easy to load on a smartphone, as is

introduced in autumn 2014. Using the

anytime and anywhere. The hose-

application search function. This makes it

search also improves the accuracy of the

search function.

Users can also take advantage of the

Norres online converter built into the new

Web app and optimised website. This tool

can convert a range of hose-related data

from metric to imperial and vice versa at

any time and in any location.

BATTENFELD-cincinnati has published a video on their website showing the

Battenfeld-cincinnati has successfully installed more than 100 PO and PVC pipe

extrusion lines for diameters from 800mm upwards. Thanks to its many years of

experience in the production of extruders and extrusion dies, battenfeld-cincinnati can

handle throughputs of up to 3 tons per hour and pipe diameters of up to 2,500mm.

Most of the more than 100 large diameter pipe extrusion lines installed are laid

extrusion lines for PVC pipes have already been installed for diameters of up to

1,300mm, dimensions of up to 1,600mm in diameter are feasible. With the twinEX

extruder models 135, 148 and 173, battenfeld-cincinnati offers a wide range of

large machines specially geared to gentle processing of this material. Optimal wall

thickness distribution and excellent pipe attributes are achieved by double spider dies.

In the youtube video, Mohámed Hageb, general manager of Union Pipes Industry

(UPI), in the United Arab Emirates, explains the reasons the UPI management’s

decision in favour of battenfeld-cincinnati: “Besides quality attributes such as excellent

wall thickness distribution and low ovality, we have come to appreciate above all the

can operate with a shorter cooling section than conventional models. This saves

us production hall space, energy and material as well, thanks to the optimal pipe

pipes.”

WEB NEWS

Norres launches new responsive website design

Mobile app links suppliers and buyers of recycled materials

Many new online services

on www.norres.com

Visible competence for large diameter pipe extrusion lines

www.norres.com

www.recyclenet.co.zaThe RecycleNet app allows for

easy access and participation in the selling and buying of recycling materials

Large diameter pipe produced on a line from battenfeld-cincinnati at

Union Pipes Industry, United Arab Emirates

www.youtube.com/BattenfeldCincinnati

www.recyclenet.co.za/register

WEB news.indd 70 2015/02/17 10:35 AM

BOOKS

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Market Study: Polypropylene

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Ceresana forecasts chances for polypropylene

Trends in plastics decoration

Latest perspectives on global packaging industry


World rubber demand forecast to increase

at 1.8% and 4.1% in 2015, 2016

Books.indd 72 2015/02/17 10:39 AM

WORLD NEWS

PLASTIC composites replaced titanium

in key components of the Orion space

capsule, which both launched into and

returned from space in early December.

USA company TenCate Advanced

Composites North America developed

the heat-resistant composites for the

heat shield and backshell structure of

Lockheed Martin.

Lockheed Martin’s thermal protection

group worked with TenCate to develop

a heat-resistant composite resin for the

16.5-foot diameter heat shield and the

crew vehicle backshell. The shield’s large

area and 4cm thickness entailed high

parts consolidation using only a low-

pressure vacuum bag moulding process.

During re-entry the heat shield loses

about 20% of its thickness due to

vaporization as the capsule speeds into

the earth’s atmosphere at over 32 000km

per hour. Re-entry temperatures can

exceed 2,000°C.

The Orion project is in the early stage

for development of spacecraft capable

of carrying humans into interplanetary

space. Space engineers hope the project

eventually will lead to humans landing on

the planet Mars. The prototype capsule

launched the morning of 5 December

was unmanned. It splashed back into the

launch after completing two Earth orbits.

TenCate did not disclose the

ingredients of its high-tech composites

on Orion but the company said a range

of polymers are used in its aerospace

composites, including epoxies, cyanate

ester, bismaleimide and high-temperature

polyimides.

TenCate Advanced Composites North

America is a subsidiary of Koninlijke

Ten Cate NV of Almelo, Netherlands.

The parent company’s common name is

Royal Ten Cate.

SAUDI International Petrochemical Co

and South Korea’s Hanwha Chemical

Corp have opened a $40 million EVA

Saudi Arabia.

The facility, in the special economic

zone of Hail, will have an annual capacity

of 4,000 tons of ethylene-vinyl acetate

The operation is part of the Saudi

company’s efforts to bring more plastics

processing and downstream operations

to the Kingdom to complement its resin

manufacturing.

It was also reported in 2013 that the

two companies are also building a joint

venture plastic mould making facility in

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with a capacity to

manufacture moulds up to 1,000 tons.

making operations are part of the Saudi

Specialized Products Co, which is a joint

venture that is 75% owned by Sipchem

and 25% by Hanwha.

Saudi media reported in 2013 that the

project would be a total investment of

about $60 million.

The Korean partner, Hanwha, also has

large manufacturing capacities for solar

announced a merger that said would

make it the world’s largest maker of solar

cells, with a manufacturing capacity of

3.28 gigawatts.

Hanwha and Sipchem also have larger

Composites replace titanium in key components on OrionComposites replace titanium in key components

www.nasa.gov

www.tencate.com


Sipchem, Hanwha open

NASA astronauts Cady Coleman and Ricky

Arnold step into the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew

Vehicle hatch during a series of spacesuit

check tests conducted at the agency’s Johnson

Space Centre in Houston (Image: Bill Stafford)

WORLD NEWS-1.indd 74 2015/02/17 10:30 AM


AROUND THEWORLD

World Plastics Council takes on sustainabilityTHE recently formed World Plastics

Council (WPC) has set marine

debris and post-consumer recycling

and energy recover as its initial top

priorities.

The council, created during K

and key topics for the group.

Mosaed Al Ohali, executive vice

president polymers at SABIC, was

elected as the new chairman of

WPC at the assembly. He replaces

Patrick Thomas, the CEO Bayer

MaterialScience, who had taken up

the role during the formation phase of

WPC.

The WPC is intended to accelerate

cooperation and alignment of the

plastics industry at the international

level with regard to common issues

faced by the industry, society and

consumers.

“provided strategic direction on key

areas of the sustainability agenda,”

including marine debris and end-of-life

product issues.

Bayer wraps up major investment in GermanyMATERIALS manufacturer Bayer

MaterialScience has successfully

concluded a major capital expenditure

project in Germany. The company brought

world-scale plant for the production of

the chemical TDI, a main component

in high-quality foams, on stream at its

site in Dormagen, located in the state of

North Rhine-Westphalia. Valued at some

€250 million, the high-tech plant was

inaugurated at a ceremony attended by

representatives from politics, industry,

public administration authorities and the

local community.

Including infrastructure and supplier

costs, total capital expenditure at

Chempark Dormagen amounts to more

than €400 million. The site is to become

Bayer MaterialScience’s European centre

for TDI production. Under construction

for 30 months, the new plant replaces

a smaller production unit for toluene

diisocyanate (TDI). The chemical is used

foams, which is used to produce many

everyday articles including mattresses,

car seats and upholstered furniture.

www.materialscience.bayer.com

IT looks like something out of a

‘Transformers’ movie – a huge robotic

arm that moves and spins to pick

programmed patterns to deposit those

of transforming from machine to Autobot,

aerospace structures and parts.

NASA’s Langley Research Centre

has installed the advanced composite

research capability, called ISAAC

(Integrated Structural Assembly of

Advanced Composites) at its Hampton,

Virginia facility at a cost of around US$1.7

million dollars to develop and install.

The researchers plan to have ISAAC

up and running by early 2015 with the

Research Mission Directorate’s

Advanced Composites Project (ACP).

The ACP is a public-private

partnership that is geared toward

reducing the amount of time and

money it takes to bring new, advanced

composites from test tube to vehicles.

NASA’s space projects also plan to

use the ISAAC system in their research.

The second project planned for the robot

is the Composites for Exploration Upper

Stage (C-EUS) Project, a partnership

between the Space Technology Mission

Directorate and Human Exploration

Mission Directorate that is led by the

Marshall Space Flight Centre. The

C-EUS Project is a three-year effort to

suitable for the second stage of the

Space Launch System.

joint investments in resin manufacturing in

Saudi Arabia. In August they announced

the start-up of a plant making 200,000 tons

a year of EVA

and low-density

polyethylene

materials, an

investment of

$800 million.

Hanwha is

making sizable

investments – in

November it bought plastics and chemicals

assets from Samsung, making it the largest

Composites replace titanium in key components on Orion

The 6.4m tall robot is placed on the track. The robot head will make large composite pieces

(Image:NASA/David C. Bowman)

Saudi Arabia

www.nasa.gov

Giant robot helps NASA make composite parts


AROUND THEWORLD


Mitsubishi develops bio-based polycarbonateMITSUBISHI Chemical Corp. says it has

developed a bio-based polycarbonate

resin. Durabio is based on isosorbide as

a comonomer that replaces bisphenol A.

Isosorbide is derived from glucose, widely

available as a biological feedstock.

The Tokyo-based materials giant

says Durabio is not biodegradable

and its durability suits it to a range of

engineering applications. Key properties

include high transparency, excellent

optical properties and higher resistance

to abrasion than conventional PC.

Mitsubishi claims Durabio’s optical

properties are superior to conventional

PC. Its impact resistance characteristics

compare favourably with conventional

PC, according to the company.

Mitsubishi cites optical and energy

components, electronics, automotive

and décor schemes as potential

applications for Durabio.

optical properties relate to its isosorbide

ingredient, which unlike BPA is an

aliphatic chemical. In addition to

transparency and optical homogeneity,

the resin yellows only slightly when

exposed to light. Its transparency

promotes freedom for coloration, even

for deep hues and metallic effects.

Parx Plastics winner of World Technology AwardONCE a year The World Technology

Network brings together many of the

world’s most innovative individuals

and organizations in science,

present, discuss and celebrate

innovations and accomplishments. In

this year’s edition, Parx Plastics was

awarded for its inventions creating a

biocompatible antibacterial plastic.

The technology developed by

Parx Plastics is unique as it is fully

biocompatible, ecofriendly, non-toxic and

without substances leaching from the

plastic. These characteristics make this

solution the only antibacterial technology

that without limitations can be used in

food packaging materials to improve the

shelf life of food, and can be used for

medical applications such as implants

where it will reduce the chances on

infections. Earlier this year the European

Commission announced Parx Plastics as

one of the top tech startups of Europe.

www.wtn.net

www.parxplastics.com

Plastics play part in architectural illusion

TAKING residence on the East Piazza

at Covent Garden in London is a new

and unique artwork which sees a section

of the building magically levitate – with

one of the key structural elements of the

illusion provided by Brett Martin Plastic

Sheets.

Modelled on the original architecture

of the 184 year old market building,

the artwork ‘Take my lightning but don’t

steal my thunder’, has been designed by

London artist Alex Chinneck and built by

a 100-strong team who have conjured up

the illusion that a 40-foot-long building

has broken from its stone base and

bewildering weightlessness.

With this unusual engineering marvel

designed around both weight and

aesthetics, the building had to be as light

as possible but still look like a stone and

brick building. Built from a steel and

timber frame, the walls were created

using Brett Martin’s Marlon ST Longlife,

a structurally strong, lightweight multiwall

polycarbonate sheet.

Polystyrene was then intricately carved

using robotic hot-wire cutters, and glued

to the polycarbonate sheet prior to the

application of the plaster and granite

building.

10mm Twinwall Marlon ST Longlife

was chosen for the artwork for its

exceptional strength and rigidity.

applications, the multiwall structure

of Marlon ST Longlife provides a very

high stiffness to weight ratio. The

sheet is strong yet light in weight, a

key consideration for this architectural

illusion.

A proposed merger between two

Australian bioplastics companies will

create a publicly listed entity with

annual sales of almost US$25 million.

Melbourne-based, publicly listed Cardia

Bioplastics Ltd and Melbourne-based

privately held Stellar Films Group Pty Ltd

have reached an agreement to merge,

subject to shareholder and regulatory

approval.

The companies have worked together

pioneering sustainable plastic packaging

products, particularly for the personal

hygiene products market. Cardia was

established in 2002 and Stellar has

operated for about 25 years. Stellar

has two factories, in Melbourne and

Selangor, Malaysia. Cardia has three

factories – one each in Melbourne;

Nanjing, China; and São Paulo. Both

companies have business development

disposable diapers, feminine hygiene,

incontinence and medical disposable

markets, and for packaging surgical

instruments, surgical drapes and gowns.

Artwork sees a section of the building levitate

Designed by London artist Alex Chinneck, the illusion that a 40-foot-long building has broken

(Images: Jeff Moore)

WORLD NEWS


[email protected], [email protected] and [email protected] (Cape Town)[email protected] and [email protected] (Cape Town) www.exxonmobilchemical.com


A HEAT-absorbing panorama roof made

of shatterproof polycarbonate brings

more light into the interior and creates

a sense of greater spaciousness in the

smart ‘fortwo’ smart car.

panorama roof for the third generation

of the smart fortwo. The 1.2m2,

transparent roof panel is made of

lightweight polycarbonate Makrolon

from Bayer MaterialScience. The roof

system admits a lot of light into the

interior, creating a pleasant, generous

sense of space for the passengers.

front windshield.

The technical highlight of the roof

system is its ability to absorb solar

energy and thus prevent the interior

from heating up too much. In a nutshell,

the IR rays stay where they belong

– outside. This is made possible by

infrared absorbers integrated into the

the panels are made of. Makrolon

AG2677 in the colour and temperature-

stable, heat-absorbing colour 771079

is being used on the new smart for the

resistant, weatherproof and lightweight.

A roof made of PC can be up to 50%

lighter than a glass equivalent. The

plastic panel on the new smart fortwo

weighs only 9.8kg.

The roof is manufactured by

means of two-component injection-

compression moulding. Besides the

transparent Makrolon AG2677, the

black-coloured polycarbonate ABS

blend Bayblend T95 MF is used as

the second component. It enables the

integration of additional functions such

as screw bosses on the bottom side

of the roof. Attached to them is the

used to control the brightness of the

interior.

A coating layer makes the panorama

roof resistant to scratching and

is the world’s largest injection-moulded,

transparently coated car roof with an

infrared absorber.

Webasto manufactures the

polycarbonate roofs in its own

lightweight competence centre in

Schierling near Regensburg.

www.webasto-group.com

MILACRON LLC, the global

leader in high precision plastic

processing technologies and

control systems, has entered into

a partnership agreement with

Foam injection moulding. The

Milacron to incorporate the MuCell

technology into its injection moulding

equipment.

“We believe Milacron is uniquely

capable to provide the complete

melt distribution and control

solution for MuCell systems. Our

processing equipment, combined

with industry leading hot runner and

control systems, will allow MuCell

and untapped markets” said Bruce

Catoen, Milacron’s chief technology

“Milacron has proven the viability

of MuCell in blow moulding, co-

and high cavitation packaging

applications. The light weighting,

low tonnage, reduced warp and

previously not possible,” added

Catoen.

CLARIANT, a world leader in

specialty chemicals, is to build a

masterbatches plant in Sydney,

Australia. The new plant will

mainly serve the Australian market

with a full range of colour and

additive masterbatches, technically

innovative solutions and services

to meet the growing local needs.

Construction on the plant is

currently underway, with plans of

commissioning in the fourth quarter

2014.

Working closely with Clariant’s

site in Albany, New Zealand, the

Australian plant will produce a

full range of colour and additive

masterbatches tailored to local

customer requirements, along with

colour matching and QC capabilities.

www.clariant.com

World’s largest injection-moulded, transparently coated car roof

with infrared absorber

WORLD NEWS


ELASTOMERS

ACMCREPDMEpichlorohydrinFKMHNBRHTV SiliconeIRNBRNRPVC/NBR BlendsSBR & BR

PLASTICS & COMPOSITES

ABSAcetalAdditivesCompositesCPECSMEVAHIPS & GPPSNylonPCPVCTPE & TPVTPU

FILLERS & ADDITIVES

AluminasAntimony ProductsBlowings AgentsCarbon BlacksFlame RetardentsHydrocarbon ResinsMagnesium OxideMasterbatchesMC & PE WaxesMineral FillersPeroxidesProcess AidsRubber ChemicalsSilanesSilicaSulfurZinc Oxide

AUXILIARIES & SERVICES

Curing BladderMachineryOther ServicesRelease AgentsRelease linersSpares

ANCHOR CHEMICALS

Batch OffBonding SystemsCoated PowdersFacticeMasterbatchingProcess AidsToll Mixing

African Marine Debris Summit in June

Afrimold will be at Indutec in May

THE second instalment of the African Summit on Marine Debris takes place in Cape Town from 3-5 June.

At present there are four large net-works active internationally that cooper-ate in addressing the issue of marine debris. This second Africa summit is intended to serve as the basis for the formation of a planned Southern African Network on Marine Debris.

As African economies grow, the ills associated with rapid expansion are becoming more apparent, but up till now marine debris along the African coast has received limited attention in Africa, and it is because of this lack of under-

problem on the continent is necessary.The Summit is being held in con-

junction with UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), South Africa’s Department of Environmental Affairs and the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The goal is to work towards increased research and awareness, raising of the issue as well as actions to

AFRIMOLD is to be presented as part of the SA Industry & Technology Fair (INDUTEC) in May.

The event, presented by Exhibition Management Services (EMS), is to take place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand from 20-22 May.

“We are very excited about our new

THE Italian plastics and rubber ma-chinery sector, including ancillaries and moulds, achieved good growth last

upcoming PLAST 2015 show (5-9 May).According to analysis by Assoco-

maplast (the Italian trade association, uniting some 170 companies), sales abroad from January-September 2014 reached €1.89-billion, as opposed to the €1.82-million in the corresponding period in 2013, recording growth in excess of 4%.

But imports for the same period also grew, by an impressive 7%: from

[email protected]

www.exhibitionsafrica.com

www.plastonline.org

Goal to set up Southern African network to keep coast clean

reduce marine debris.The second summit will address is-

sues that are seen as a way to mitigate the issue, such as using cellulose-based material in the plastics industry, recycling, deposit systems for contain-ers and showcase research being done in this area and awareness projects.

Speakers include Dr Mike Biddle, named by Popular Science magazine as ‘Mr Garbage’; Prof Dr-Ing Chris-tian Bonten, director of the Institut für Kunststofftechnik (IKT; Institute for Plastics Engineering) at the University of Stuttgart; Fabiano Barretto of Brazil, director of the Global Garbage NGO; Prof Peter Ryan of the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of Ornithology and Prof Henk Bouwman on the issue of persistent organic pollutants in micro plastics.

The function is to be held at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

For further information, contact John Kieser:

South African operation,” said John Thomson, managing director of EMS.

“This development gives added depth to an already comprehensive specialist manufacturing fair. It is fast becoming a leading showcase for industry on the African continent,” said Thomson.

Afrimold is managed by Ron MacLarty.

€423-million euros in 2013 to over €454-m in 2014. This corresponds to consolidation (+3%) of an already strongly positive balance of trade, said Asscomaplast.

Expectations for the current year, de-spite the rapidly shifting political frame-work and uncertainties in the markets, are marked by optimism, it added.

With just a few months before the cut-ting of the ribbon for the Milanese fair, the number of exhibitors has exceeded 1,200 – almost 4% more than Plast 2012 with full, across-the-board repre-sentation of all the different segments and categories in the six pavilions.

‘Gravity II’Global Closure Systems launched a new standard closure for the water market at Pharmapack Europe in Paris in February. The beverage market is continuing to move towards light weighting. The objective of the Gravity II closure, which has a lightweight

changeable solution by offering a single-thread closure while maintaining the same

26/22 (GME 30.28) and allowing a simple customer line conversion. Developed for

in its own right, with 2.05g against 3.85g for

www.gcs.com

Hostex in SandtonHOSTEX, Africa’s leading hospitality and food services expo, takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 15-18 March. The event includes the SA Chefs Village; the Liquid Kitchen; the Shaker

Barista Championship and actually quite a lot more. Many plastic and composite accessories are used in the sector, so it’ll do no harm to drop in. www.hostex.co.za

UTech Europe in AprilUTECH Europe, from 14-16 April, at MECC, Maastricht, The Netherlands, runs alongside the UTECH Europe exhibition. The conference is designed to give attend-ees a competitive edge through state-of-the

rigid foam innovations and case studies. It will explore key themes affecting the Euro-pean and global polyurethane industry in 2015 and beyond. Key sessions will cover renewables, innovation, automotive and polyureas. www.utecheurope.eu/page.cfm/Link=13/t=m/goSection=1

IISRP annual general meeting in Cape TownTHE International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) has launched a website for its 56th AGM being held in Cape Town from 20-23 April. The AGM website provides complete information on the meet-ing agenda as well as online meeting and hotel registration. The business programme

theme, ‘Future Vision … Forward Move-ment’, with broad appeal to the business leaders of the rubber industry.

The AGM website also provides informa-tion about committee meetings, business and social programmes and general infor-

our speakers. www.iisrp.com/agm


PLAST 2015: positive signs from sector

CO

MIN

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PDIARY

Technology advances expected

Erema harnesses increase in recycling in USAInterest in the recycling of post-consumer plastic material is currently growing at a rapid pace in the USA. The complex mate-rial mixtures, high degree of moisture and heavy contamination of the input materials call for the most reliable recycling systems. With this in mind, Erema of Austria will show its Intarema TVEplus® system which,

upstream of extruder degassing, plus the

Another Erema highlight at NPE 2015 will be the latest product innovation Intarema K, enabling visitors to see for themselves how intelligent in-house recy-cling solutions can maintain consistent end

labour costs at the same time.

PET improvement systemNGR (Next Generation Recyclingmaschin-en GmbH) will hold the world premiere of

PET at the show. P:REACT follows the

condensation) and considerably improves the properties of PET – which is ideal for PET convertors or recyclers.

capability of PET to post condensate in the molten phase under vacuum. This post condensation leads to an increase of IV. The high performance vacuum effectively decontaminates the material from harmful chemicals, securing further use of the material for 100% food contact.

As molten PET enters the vertical part of P:REACT, strands are formed to create a suitable surface-to-volume ratio. The mate-rial is then collected in a horizontal drum and slowly pushed forward. Post conden-sation starts immediately as the strands are formed and is set forth until PET exits P:REACT.

IV increase is controlled by the residue time of the molten PET inside P:REACT and therefore can be adjusted to a desired level.

The cleaning of the material exceeds lim-its set by recognized food safety standards, but also effectively removes spin oil from

approximately 0,01 dl/g per minute.

www.ngr.at

The P:REACT polycondensation system from NGR actively controls the residue-time of the PET melt inside the reactor and automatically adjusts the machine parameters to recweive the desired IV at a consistent level

MANY of the world’s leading machinery, material and service suppliers to the plastics industry will exhibit at the NPE show in Orlando, Florida, USA from 23-27 March. Here we look at some of the expected technology advances.

Arburg will present an innovative light-

injection moulding with a side feeder that

melt. The advantages of this innovative

lengths of up to 50mm, a low incidence

The process will be demonstrated on a hydraulic Allrounder 820 S, operat-ing with a mould from Georg Kaufmann Formenbau. Through the over-moulding of

inserts (organic sheets), high-strength, re-silient composite parts are created, which weigh less than 200g at a length exceed-ing 500mm.

A six-axis robotic system picks up two organic sheets of different thicknesses

gently heated, process-reliably, using a new technology in the gripper system

Integrated Process Application) mould at a precise forming temperature. Here, form-ing of the inserts and injection moulding of the functional and reinforcement elements are performed simultaneously in a cycle time of around 55 seconds.

Laserfi lter

– The recently enhanced

Erema is particularly

processing of post-consumer materials with a high degree of contaminants

such as wood, paper, aluminium or

The composite part

provides a good illustration of how

– for example, for the automotive industry – with a high level of functional

Cannon celebrates

50th anniversary at JEC

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will be highlighted: ESTRIM, a complete moulding solution for HP RTM process designed for the produc-tion of automotive, leisure and sport parts; A third-generation preformer for carbon-reinforced composites will be illustrated. Its design has been optimised in the past 15 years, obtaining an industrially-proven solu-tion able to cope with the demanding cycle times dictated by the automotive industry parts; A new generation presses suitable to be used with different technologies (HP RTM, gap injection, compression moulding, etc) and different reinforcements (carbon and

The industrialisation phase of the innova-tive CRESIM (Carbon Recycling by Epoxy Special IMpregnation) project, aimed at the development of proper processing methods for the manufacture of CFRP parts using

The new, completely redesigned mixing head for co-injection of polyurethanes and

CANNON SPA IS REPRESENTED IN SOUTHERN

AFRICA BY REAC PU TECHNOLOGIES OF

JOHANNESBURG.

A 3D CAD rendering and photo of the new InterWet 30 mixing head designed by Cannon Afros for high-output co-injection of polyurethane

process). This head provides superior wetting performanc-es of the chopped reinforce-ment, leading to optimum mechanical properties of the

THE Cannon Group will present its most re-

technologies for composites and thermoform-ing at JEC Composites 2015 in Paris, France, Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre, from 10-12 March.

Both Cannon and the JEC Europe Show celebrate their 50th anniversaries this year!

Examples of the most innovative solutions introduced by Cannon for the manufacture of carbon and glass-reinforced composites for all their possible applications will be illustrated in detail at JEC Composites with dedicated videos, samples and articles published in the Cannon Group’s website.

Over the past 50 years, Cannon has

technological solutions for the process of ure-thanes and, more recently, of epoxy-based composites.

Complete manufacturing lines for the pro-duction of a thermosetting or a thermoplastic composite part – from glass- or carbon-pre-

dispensing unit and mixing head, moulds, mould carriers, handling and heating systems and controls – are available at Cannon, from

Among other available tech-nologies, the following

www.reac.co.za www.cannon.com

Carbon-reinforced structural parts for components such as satellite dishes and innovative hybrid vehicles are made using

The third generation Cannon E-System high-pressure dosing unit, designed for HP RTM technology, that can be applied with epoxy or polyurethane resins

ment of the relevant tonnage and investment

CRESIM, the Cannon R+D project aiming at the industrialisation of the use of re-

The ‘cockpits’ of BMW i3 and i8 cars are made on a framework

made by Benteler in Ried, Austria, using Cannon machines

NPE: ‘KeepAmericaBeautiful’campaign

THE Plastics Industry Trade Association in the United States will partner with the Keep America Beautiful (KAB)

KAB’s ‘I Want to Be Recycled’

from 23-27 March in Orlando, Florida.

‘I Want to Be Recycled’ mes-

waste disposed of by show attendees. In addition, it will be prominently displayed in the Zero Waste Zone, a special sector of the show

mandate to reduce, reuse and recycle plastics. Visitors there will also be able to view a video

sponsored by Keep America Beautiful and the Ad Council, a

and directs audiences to the website at

Recycling areas at show dedicated to industry’s pursuit of zero waste

COMING UP

PPP Expo Africa events

the 18th PPP EXPO AFRICA events from 7-9 May 23-25 May

“PPP EXPO Africa is the only event

bio!PAC conference on bio-based packaging

from bio-based materials (i.e. from renew-able resources) is to run on 12/13 May in

all areas of bio-based materials will present their latest developments. Besides bio-

from suppliers and brand owners, different disposal options (end-of-life scenarios) will also be addressed.

www.bio-pac.info


A campaign poster showing a plastic bottle and a park bench bears which will be on show at NPE in March as well as to the wider public in the United States

which has been very successful

and diversion. “You can create

public participation you still don’t

Convention Centre, the Zero

tions, multiple displays of prod-ucts made with post-consumer recycled material, a cradle-to-

the Zero Waste Zone will be the

the environment.

Wallmart to spend big in USA – Retail/brand group Wallmart has committed to sourcing an additional $250-bil-lion worth of US-made goods over the next 10 years, a topic to be addressed by Cindi Marsiglio, Walmart vice-president of US Manufacturing. She is featured speaker at an SPI/IHS Key Market Seminar at NPE

www.inthehopper.org www.npe.org

Conductive Plastics

on the development and application of elec-trically and thermally conductive compounds.

29 June-1 July in Düsseldorf, Germany.

thermally conductive and electrically conduc-tive thermoplastic compounds to replace

and production of thermally conductive or electrically conductive plastics components.

www.amiplastics.com

Tomato clamshell packaging

made from PLA (looks identical to PET)

Sumitomo Demag will demonstrate nine machines at NPE (23-27 March), including one

with which the company will attempt to beat the world speed record for production of water bottle

caps. The machine will be running a 96-cavity hot runner mould. Each hour, the machine will

be producing over 180,000 lightweight 1.3-gram HDPE water bottle caps with tamper-evident

band moulded by mechanical slides. “The sub-two-second cycle, the waterfall of 96 caps out

the IMDvista vision inspection system – it will

Sumitomo-Demag USA

Engel customised, integrated systems increase competitiveness

DIARY

ENGEL of Austria, an international sup-plier of injection moulding solutions, is to present a number of innovative solutions at NPE2015 from 23-27 March in Orlando,

automotive, packaging, medical, teletronics

moulding solutions. The exhibits will show that the key to increased competitiveness can be found in both customised, highly-

standard machines.The highlights at the Engel booth include

tured in a one-shot process, the new high-performance Engel ‘e-speed’ machine, the particularly dynamic Engel ‘e pic’ pick-and-place robot as well as innovative service tools for an even higher level of process security and machine availability.

The plastics industry in North America continues on a course of growth. In particu-lar, there is an increasing demand for in-novative techniques and economic solutions for high-performance applications.

A main emphasis will be on lightweight construction, which is currently one of the areas with the strongest growth.

“In the next few years we can look for-ward to strong growth in the injection mould-

composite engineering,” points out Mark Sankovitch, CEO of Engel North America with headquarters in York, Pennsylvania.

established themselves in high-performance products, in the aircraft industry for example.

wider use in high volume applications, such as in the automotive sector, the biggest challenge at present is to develop manufac-turing processes that provide low unit costs despite high volumes.

One of the most interesting aspects of the display will be that of a ‘cell’ to produce a geometrically optimised and stress-resistant plastic brake pedal. The concept for manu-facturing a hybrid, brake pedal from ther-moplastic fabric is a venture by Engel and its partner ZF-Friedrichshafen. It received the Composite Innovations Award in 2011, and has been consistently enhanced by ZF since then.

Engel will be offering a glimpse into the

Hybrid brake pedal is 30% lighter than conventional steel pedals, and makes previously used process steps unnecessary


at its stand at the exhibition. Using a vertical Engel insert 1050H/230 single machine with an Engel ‘easix’ multi-axis industrial robot

(known as thermoplastic fabric) will be heated, preformed in a mould and imme-diately over-moulded with polyamide. The

no cutting is necessary.Thermoplastic fabric offers high strength

and rigidity. In addition, the product develop-ers at ZF have adapted the layer structure to the component load when designing the brake pedal. This enabled the component weight to be reduced by around 30% com-pared to conventional steel brake pedals—without impairing load-bearing capacity. In addition, the lightweight construction method makes many conventional manufacturing process steps unnecessary, thereby in-creasing productivity and cutting unit costs.

Process integration leads to greater

Engel duo 2550/610 US injection mould-ing machine with an integrated Engel viper 20 robot, Engel will demonstrate the fact that not only can process steps upstream or downstream of the injection moulding machine be combined, but also different process technologies. To produce centre console components of PC-ABS, Engel will combine two technologies: Engel foam-melt, the MuCell® foam injection moulding process developed by Trexel of Wilmington, Massachusetts, USA, and the vario-thermal injection moulding process from Roctool (Le Bourget du Lac, France). The goal is to pro-duce thin-walled parts with very high surface quality along with the excellent reproduction

moulding step.To demonstrate the versatility of this

combination of processes, the part being moulded will have varying wall thicknesses and surface structures. Thanks to Engel

including the undercuts, and the component has no sink marks after cooling. At the same time, the Roctool technology provides a

applications aimed at car interiors, this dual technology integration opens up new

goods and household products.

America, this system solution introduces the new design of the Engel duo injec-

in particular from improved ergonomics thanks to a lower operating height provid-

area. Other features of the new machine generation include roller rail systems for

movement and a much cleaner mould area thanks to the removal of central lubrication.

Hybrid pedal – The

Extremely rapid growth in India presents different dynamic

Innovation through technology at KZN show

THE extremely rapid growth of the plas-tics industry in India, where consumption of the material is expected to double between now and 2020, suggests that PlastIndia in February could present a different dynamic to most of the other global scale trade shows.

Consumption of plastics in India is an-ticipated to increase from about 4.5 mil-lion tons p/a at present to about 9 million tpa by 2020, which is a rate in excess of anything experienced anywhere to date.

That sudden increase suggests that India’s processors are going to run short of just about everything as this quest unfolds, according to Jayesh Rambhia of the PlastIndia Foundation, who gave a promotional presentation about the show in Cape Town in November.

“We’re running short of machinery, we’re running short of materials, we’re running short of capital and just about everything else,” said Rambhia, of Prem-sons Plastics in Mumbai. Premsons is a manufacturer of sports drink bottles. Rambhia is a PlastIndia Foundation volunteer, with part of his undertaking being to promote the event in his busi-ness activities. He spent a week in South Africa, making business contacts as well as for sightseeing.

national market for plastics internation-ally, a stat which may change soon if Rambhia’s forecast is even close to cor-

EXHIBITION space is in high demand for this year’s KwaZulu-Natal Industrial Technology Exhibition (KITE) which will be held at the Durban Exhibition Centre from 9-12 June.

The biennial event is the province’s leading industrial showcase offering exhibitors a unique marketing opportunity. Established in 1984, KITE has become a key component in the industry’s exhibition calendar, and the 16th installment promises another opportunity for local and international businesses to showcase their products and services while providing a platform www.kznindustrial.co.za

Consumption expected to double to about 9 million tons by 2020

More robotics technology at Durban event in June

for business networking.“The 2015 exhibition is themed

‘Innovation through Technology’ with a focus on clean, green technology,” explained Gary Corin, MD for Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery, organiser of the show.

“This year’s event will also feature more robotics technology, alongside an array of other advanced technological types,” said Corin.

The 2013 edition drew 5131 visitors


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rect. Other unusual stats include the fact that India is home to an estimated 20% of the world’s population and the cost of living for labourers of about $40 a month suggests that labour rates in the country are among the lowest in the world – factors which could make the Indian market attrac-tive to international suppliers.

www.plastindia.org

Jayesh Rambhia of the PlastIndia Foundation hosted a promotional event for PlastIndia in Cape Town in November, and promptly presented gifts to his hosts on the day, Loretta Welcomets and Isabella Brettenny of Plastics|SA

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COMING UP

Pipeline Coating: 17-19 February Trend Hotel Savoyen, Vienna, Austria www.amiplastics.com/events

European Additives & Colors: 23-25 February Barcelona, Spain: www.4spe.org/ace15

Austrian Plastics Industry Showcase: 9-13 March

ICE Europe: 10-12 MarchMunich, Germany: www.ice-x.com

JEC Europe: 10-12 MarchParis, France: www.jeccomposites.com

World Elastomer Summit: 12-13 March Lyon, France: www.wplgroup.com

Hostex: 15-18 March Sandton Convention Centre: www.hostex.co.za

Propak East Africa: 17-19 March Nairobi, Kenya: www.propakeastafrica.com

Green Polymer Chemistry: 18-19 March Maritim Hotel Cologne, Germany: www.amiplastics.com

Plastics in Auto Engineering: 18-19 March Mannheim, Germany: www.kunststoffe-im-auto.de

NPE 2015: 23-27 MarchOrlando, Florida, USA: www.npe.org

World Rubber Summit: 24-25 March Singapore: www.singex.com

Polymer Foam: 14-15 April New Jersey, USA: www.amiplastics.com

Utech Europe: 14-16 April Maastricht, Netherlands: www.utecheurope.eu

MedTech Europe: 21-23 April Stuttgart, Germany: www.medtecheurope.org

Plast 2015: 5-9 May Fiera Milano, Italy: www.plastonline.org

PPP Expo Kenya: 7-9 MayNairobi, Kenya: www.expogr.com

Bio!PAC: 12-13 May Amsterdam, Netherlands: www.bio-pac.info

Test Methods for Composites: 19-20 May Manchester, United Kingdomwww.SeminarsForEngineers.com

ARMSA Rotation 2015: 20-21 MayBlades Conference Centre, Pretoria: www.armsa.co.za

Afriplast Expo: 20-22 MayGallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg www.exhibitionsafrica.com

Indutec: 20-22 MayGallagher Convention Centre, Johannesburg www.exhibitionsafrica.com

ChinaPlas: 20-23 May Guangzhou, PR China: www.ChinaplasOnline.com

PPP Expo Tanzania: 23-25 May Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania: www.expogr.com

Conductive Plastics: 29 May-1 June Hotel Nikko, Düsseldorf, Germanywww.amiplastics.com

African Summit on Marine Debris: 4-5 JuneKirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Town [email protected]

KZN Industrial Technology Show: 9-12 June

Durban Exhibition Centre: www.kznindustrial.co.za

Plastics Closures Innovations: 9-12 June

www.amiplastics.com

IOM³ National Rubber Conference: 18-21 JuneCathedral Peak Hotel, Drakensberg: www.iom3.co.za

Saitex: 21-23 JuneGallagher Convention Centre, Midrand www.exhibitionsafrica.com

ExtruAfrica: 3-7 AugustPotchefstroom, North West: www.extruafrica.org.za

Euromold: 22-25 September Messe Düsseldorf, Germany: www.Euromold.com

CLASSIFIEDADVERTS

Contact: Desire’ PrestonPh: 011 894 3520 • Fax: 086 673 9018 • Email: [email protected]

or visit us at www.jcl.co.za

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Tel: 021 712 1408 or

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Mono & multi-layer extrusion lines for the production of:

SUBSCRIBE TO SA PLASTICS, COMPOSITES & RUBBER

SA Plastics, Composites & Rubber is published six times a year and is available to people involved in the plastics and polymer industry in South Africa on a subscription basis at a cost of R285 a year. It is available in other countries in

Southern Africa at a subscription cost of ZAR500 per year. International subscription, supplied by airmail, is ZAR700.

If you’d like to subscribe, email your details to [email protected]

or visit our website at www.saplastics.co.za

Ampa Group 17

BASF 40

Cabletech Marketing 55

Carst & Walker 24

DemaPlastech 35

DH Polymers 69

Eder Design 13

Extrupet 09

GF Plastic Machinery 45

Hosaf 79

Jenowill 03

Karbochem 15

Masterbatch SA 71

MGMW Trading 61

Miracle Mould 64,65

MJH Machine Tools 41

National Tooling Initiative 57

Nissei ASB 37

Orion Engineered Carbons 51

Performance Colour Systems 85

Piovan 69

PLAST2015 89

PlastiChem IFC

Plastomark 73

PMS Plastics OBC

PolyOne 25

Polysaf Chemical 49

Protea Chemicals IBC

Rawmac 81

Reac PU Technologies 23

Relloy 63, 75

REPI S.p.A 01

RNL Plastics 21

Safripol 05

SAPY Colours 31

Scinergy Chemicals SA 67

SES 87

Ultra Polymers 93

Welltec 27

Advertisers:Februay / March 2015


The Albatross hull weighs just 28kg and the deck a mere 22kg. The parts are between 2 and 6mm

thick and enable a 25 to 30% increase in rigidity compared with the classic reinforcement stack

www.chomarat.com88 FEBRUARY / MARCH 2015

FOLLOWING on from its successful use

in the aeronautics sector, C-PLY™ is set

to be a key material in Jean-Marie Finot’s

latest yacht, the Albatross. Both the hull

and the deck of the boat will be made

from C-PLY, Chomarat’s range of carbon

multiaxial reinforcements.

Because C-PLY is both light and ultra-

resistant, it helps to make the Albatross a

boat that is fast, sturdy and easy to handle.

Thanks to its composite reinforcements,

the boat’s hull weighs just 28kg and the

deck a mere 22kg! The parts are between

2 and 6mm thick and enable a 25 to 30%

increase in rigidity compared with the

classic reinforcement stack.

C-PLY structure, which totally respects

cost effective solution.

“The combination of different C-PLY

reinforcements in a monolithic laminate

has a sandwich structure effect that

enables a 25 to 30% increase in rigidity

compared with the classic reinforcement

stack (0/90),” says Jean-Marie Finot,

founder and CEO of FINOT group.

By layering multiaxials in a monolithic

the length of the boat, the boat’s rigidity

waves is supported by the boat’s shell,

comprised of all the vertical structures

that make up the exterior part of the

boat’s hull. This shell must have bend

resistance from one longitudinal section

to the other, from one rail to the other.

more demanding characteristics (parts

vector, visible automobile parts or those

subject to impact loading in aeronautics),

placed on the perpendicular of the main

effort axis and/or by using extremely thin

basic plys (50g/m²).

Totally innovative multiaxial materials

“This means we can develop totally

innovative multiaxial materials,” said

Philippe Sanial, Group R&D director

at Chomarat. C-PLY enables parts to

be mass produced because it can be

manipulated without risk during the

RTM stage and because it is a drapable

material that can be moulded around the

component.

“We chose these carbons because

they are compatible with Vinylester

resin, a material with the best resistance

to corrosion and water absorption that

carbons also enable parts to be mass

produced using the innovative RTM

process we developed for large-scale

parts. The Albatross is the only boat

currently manufactured using this

process,” said Finot.

Chomarat supplies some of the carbon

for the Albatross.

A C-PLY™

boat for everyone

Sports.indd 88 2015/02/17 10:16 AM

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