Strictly-Extrusion

Sheet producer Barlo Plastics Europe NV has expanded its activities in Eastern Europe with the purchase of Slovakian acrylic resin and extruded sheet company PSC s.r.o.

Next Generation Films Inc. is adding another three-layer blown film line from Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp. Next Generation expects to begin running its seventh line in its Lexington plant by next summer. The line will be able to make 103-inch-wide film, compared with the firm´s current width limit of 80 inches.

Merritt Extruder, USA has recently shipped a new 6″ extruder with a vented 39:1 L/D barrel and screw design for HDPE sheet production with an output of more than 3000 pounds per hour. To achieve these high production rates Merritt uses a new extra high capacity closed loop cooling system for intensive cooling. The heaters have cast-in cooling coils that are uniquely piped for ease of maintenance and for the most efficient cooling. Merritt’s unique triple chamber throat design continues to be of importance while maintaining a constant temperature for consistent feeding. The two stage Merrexx High Performance Feed Screw used in this process has been a proven leader in melt temperature control, melt homogeneity and pressure stabilization while maintaining extremely high material output rates. The base has an integral mounted control panel and motor drive arrangement for one single power drop and ease of setup.

Specialty thermoset materials supplier Rogers Corp., USA has opened new sales and marketing offices in Singapore and Seoul, Korea. Rogers Technologies Singapore, Inc. and Rogers Korea, Inc., will supply the company’s full line of high-frequency and flexible-circuit laminates. Rogers already has sales offices in Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

Klöckner Werke AG, Germany plans to expand in films and exit unrelated businesses such as packaging machinery and filling equipment. The company will expand internally, acquire companies and introduce new products as part of its film growth strategy.

Advanced Elastomer Systems, USA co-operates with Italian compounder Applicazioni Plastiche Industriali in the development of new TPE compounds based on AES’s thermoplastic vulcanisates. The alliance gives API development backing for new TPV compounds and extends AES’s compounding capabilities for regional markets.

Nylon 66 and 66/6 copolymer resins manufacturer Nilit Ltd., Israel has added three new grades to its Polynil line. They are available in the U.S.from J.A.Z. Associates Inc. The New P-50FI is a high-flow, fast-cycling molding grade nylon 66 designed for small multicavity molds. Also new are P-230PI and P-230C, two high- viscosity lubricated nylon 66 products said to offer improved processing and non-stick production of
blown film. For details, contact J.A.Z. Associates at (215) 348-9559 or e-mail jazassocs@aol.com.

Ticona, USA has introduced a new family of liquid-crystal polymers specifically for barrier food and medical packaging. New Vectran LCPs have lower processing temperatures to permit coextrusion with conventional packaging resins in multilayer films and rigid, thermoformed packaging for retort pouches, closures, trays, and lids. Vectran LCPs can be processed on existing extrusion equipment at temperatures as low as 428 F. They are highly impermeable to oxygen, water vapor and aromas, which allows them to be used in very thin layers of only 2 to 5 microns (0.08 to 0.2 mils). Their moisture barrier is said to exceed that of many fluoropolymers. Their oxygen barrier does not decrease with increased humidity as occurs with EVOH. Vectran reportedly retains barrier properties after retorting at 248 F or higher temperatures. It also withstands aggressive chemicals that can degrade EVOH and PVDC.

GE Plastics, USA has purchased NIM Plastics Corp., a producer of polycarbonate sheet and film. It will add to GE’s capacity to supply such products. NIM makes products under the trade name NIMpact. These include clear and pigmented sheet and film in flame-retardant and non-FR grades. Some are said to be unique products that will expand the GE product line. GE will retain the NIM product line and the NIMpact name. NIM will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary called GE NIM Plastics.

A non-profit Plastic Technology Center recently started up in Angola, Ind. (USA). It is dedicated to providing training and educational services to all plastics processors, not just those in Indiana. The Center has partnered with Tri-State University in Angola and Paulson Training Programs, Inc.The Center will offer programs in adult education, customized industrial training, seminars, and classes for high-school and vocational-education students. For more information, contact Harry Adamson, director of the Center at (219) 624-2420.