K-Flex - Plasticizers - Emerald Kalama Chemical LLC

Kunststoffe international, Amorphous Metals Combined with Elastomers
Injection molding manufacturer Engel and technology group Heraeus have succeeded in slashing cycle times in the injection molding of amorphous metals. In so doing, the two system partners have rendered these alloys, which possess special properties, amenable to large-scale production over a wide range of end uses. The K 2019 trade fair will see two-component parts made of amorphous metal and silicone being produced for the first time – inside a fully automated manufacturing cell. Due to their r...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Biodegradable Film: For the Sake of the Environment
Packaging For the Sake of the Environment Biodegradable Film. Renewable raw materials are of particular interest for the production of biodegradable plastics if the property profile of conventional plastics can be properly simulated. Films of polylactide copolyester blends and cellulose blends are able to meet this challenge. Initial successes are also becoming apparent in the development of biodegradable self-adhesive tape. During the oil crisis at the beginning of the 1970s, growing environ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Biodegradable Products: Nature-Compounds
Biodegradable Products: Nature-Compounds Biodegradable plastics can replace conventional plastic products in short-lived applications such as fast-food packaging. Novel materials that have been optimised for extrusion and injection moulding meet practical requirements for ease of processing and functionality. Biodegradable plastics that are made from renewable raw materials and can be thrown into organic-waste bins are a “natural” way of conserving resources and cutting costs. They are parti...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Exhibition Preview: North American and Canadian Products at K 2004
USA-Special North American and Canadian Products at K 2004 Exhibition Preview. In Düsseldorf, more than 140 U.S. American and Canadian Companies will present their innovations for the first time to an European specialist audience. The editors of the magazine Plastics Technology have assembled a selection of the most important developments. With this thematically structured preliminary report you can effectively prepare your visit at the K show. Injection Moulding News from includes all-electr...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Film Inspection: The Embedded Solution as a Symbiosis of Intelligent Hardware and Software
Extrusion The Embedded Solution as a Symbiosis of Intelligent Hardware and Software Film Inspection. The concept of the embedded solution combines the advantages of CCD line-scan cameras with those of traditional client/server systems, while offering greater standardisation, better performance and lower costs. Along with practical examples, a cost estimate for successful integration of inspection systems is given. Oliver Hissmann Intelligent camera systems are characterised by the fact that the...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Flex-ring Dies: Improved Wall-thickness Distribution of the Preform during Blow Moulding
Blow Moulding Improved Wall-thickness Distribution of the Preform during Blow Moulding Flex-ring Dies. The possibility of varying the flow-channel gap at any position around the circumference of a die opens up completely new horizons for extrusion blow moulding. It not only makes it possible to manufacture even more complex parts, but flex-ring technology also extends the range of applications of dynamic wall-thickness control to all required die geometries. Heinz Groß The geometries of blow-mo...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Fully Automated MID Technology: Complete Solution for Overmoulding Flexible Circuit Foils
Tooling Complete Solution for Overmoulding Flexible Circuit Foils Fully Automated MID Technology. The mouldmaker, Erwin Quarder Werkzeugbau, offers a complete, fully automated solution for in-mould lamination of flexible circuit foils. This “Flex-Foil” method is faster and more economical than conventional stamped circuits. For the production of electric circuits on three-dimensional moulded components, this technology requires less space and fewer operations for identical functionality. Erwin ...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Market News
Henschel Mixers for China Henschel has reason for celebration: the company will deliver 26 combination mixers for the production of PVC dry blend to Dalian Shide Group of China, one of the largest producers of PVC window and door profiles. This is the largest order for mixers that Henschel Industrietechnik GmbH of Kassel/Germany has ever received. Each combination mixer has a mixing capacity of 20,000 t/a delivered during 7,200 operating hours per year. Combination mixers consist of an FM 1000 f...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, News
DuPont Packaging Awards DuPont is inviting submissions to its Packaging Awards 2005. The annual competition, which is taking place for the eighteenth time this year, is open to international producers of innovative packaging solutions involving the use of polymer materials. This year’s call is directed to companies from the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Closing date for all submissions is 30th April, 2005. Application forms and conditions for participation can be downloaded from: www.d...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Pedestrian Safety
Pedestrian Safety Ideas and Concepts Hans-Peter Neuwald and Klaus-Werner Huland, Leverkusen/Germany Work is progressing at full speed on design concepts for pedestrian safety. However, it will take many years for the findings to be put into practice in standard vehicles. It is not long now until July 2005, the deadline that the automotive industry has set itself. Two examples of pedestrian safety measures are a bumper concept and a simulation method for airbag systems. Between 1970 and 2...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Plastics al dente
Plastics al dente The Italian Plastics Industry at PLAST 2000 Many Italian companies place great hopes in PLAST 2000. They expect demand to rise after the fair and look forward to a good 2000. Here is a look beyond the Alps at what is new in the Italian plastics industry. PLAST 2000 ushers in the new "Plastics Millennium", according to the advertising by the fair's organisers. From May 8 to 13, the industry is meeting for the first major show in Europe. Over 1300 exhibitors fro...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Polyurethanes Every Step of the Way
Polyurethanes Every Step of the Way Polyurethane integral foams are finding increasing use for shoe soles - in ever more applications. Bayer AG recently introduced a new brand concept that will supply shoe manufacturers with targeted information about products and technologies for their particular applications. Statistically, almost two pairs of shoes are produced for every person on earth each year. In 1999, the figure was 11.5 billion shoes overall [1]. As regards the quality of the materi...

Kunststoffe international, 2005-11-21, Quality of SMC Surfaces: Paintability Enhanced
Exterior Parts Paintability Enhanced Quality of SMC Surfaces. Body panels that have been produced with a new, tough SMC material exhibit fewer hair-line cracks under load. The formation of paint pops in coated parts is avoided as a result. Michael J. Siwajek Body panels manufactured from Sheet Moulding Compound (SMC) provide many advantages over steel and other materials; high strength-to-weight ratio, lower tooling cost, and design flexibility to name a few. The OEMs have recognised these advan...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-01-25, Die Design: Simulation of Extrusion Dies
Extrusion Simulation of Extrusion Dies Andreas Limper Carl-Jürgen Wefelmeier Stefan Seibel Die Design. In the simulation of extrusion dies, the numerical method of "holistic unidimensional examination" produces meaningful, reproducible results relatively quickly. The contours are mapped very well indeed in the calculation model, resulting in a high level of predictability. The extrusion die has a considerable influence on the properties of semi-finished and finished products. The dim...

Kunststoffe international, 2006-06-29, PVDF Foams: High Purity Plus Outstanding Resistance
Elastomers. High Purity Plus Outstanding Resistance. PVDF Foams. High-performance foams based on polyvinylidene fluoride are manufactured in a specific physical foaming process. The resultant foams combine low weight and insulating characteristics with the resistance to elevated temperatures, corrosive chemicals, fire and ionising radiation that is typical of PVDF. This property profile opens up numerous applications in the aviation, chemical and construction industries, and also in architecture...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-05-14, Precise and Flexible - Layer for Layer
Precise and Flexible - Layer for Layer Complete Cast Film Lines The demand for high-quality cast films requires smart line concepts for a wide range of applications. They include barrier films, metallisable films, laminating films and stretch films. A new generation of production lines manufactures CPP films at a rate of more than 300m/min and PE films at up to 550m/min. Michael Beckhoff Helmut Meyer The newly designed coextrusion cast film lines can produce composite films of up to nine...

Kunststoffe international, 2007-09-19, Flexible with High Loadbearing Capacity
Flexible with High Loadbearing Capacity Elastomers (Trade-fair-pre-report K 2007) Thermoplastic elastomers and technical elastomers are used mainly for special applications in automotive engineering, the sports and leisure sector or the chemical industry. Depending on their chemical structure, they provide cushioning and high-performance properties. In many cases, high safety or the required comfort can only be achieved by using these materials. At K2007, individual manufacturers will provid...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-01-15, Elastomer Industry Has Understood
Elastomer Industry Has Understood Elastomers (Trade Fair Report K 2007) The elastomer industry has become ever more heavily dependent on automotive manufacture (approx. 68 % of elastomer products are processed in this sector). Increasing raw material and energy costs associated with spiraling oil prices and growing price pressure due to cheap imports from Asia and Eastern Europe have severely shrunk margins despite continually rising sales. The European, and in particular the German, elastome...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-01-15, Make-up for Plastics Surfaces
Make-up for Plastics Surfaces Printing and Decorating (Trade Fair Report K 2007) Whether for purposes of decoration or in order to apply information – the surface refinement processes for plastics and plastic webs are many and varied. Pad printing is a mature process and one which has become correspondingly established. The situation regarding processes for decorating tubes, bottles and beakers, however, is quite different, with development potential still available to be tapped here. And the...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-02-29, Keeping Track of Elastomer
Keeping Track of Elastomer Online Cross-linking First introduced at the K, a new processing concept integrates extrusion, injection molding, and reactive processing in a single manufacturing cell. The application is centered around a thermoplastic polyurethane with rubber-elastic properties that is produced in an injection molding compounder by means of online cross-linking, and is also suitable for applications at higher temperatures. Due to their unique properties – high abrasion resistanc...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-08-14, Bio – What Else?
Who in the world needs bioplastics? – Obviously not many people still ask this question! Bioplastics have become a permanent factor in the packaging industry (and other sectors), and the demand for it can no longer be satisfied. Companies such as BASF, DSM, DuPont, NatureWorks, Mitsubishi Chemicals etc. are investing heavily in the manufacture of raw biopolymers. The reasons for this unusual market situation were analyzed at the Interpack in Düsseldorf, Germany. Demand Exceeds Supply Acc...

Kunststoffe international, 2008-09-23, Increasingly Simple and More Effective
The demands of processors when investing in new machinery and equipment for pelletizing, conveying, drying and metering are many. On the one hand, maximum flexibility is sought, while on the other, increasingly specialized applications require new and custom-engineered solutions. Numerous examples covering this range of requirements will be evident throughout the exhibition. A.B.S. Silo- und Förderanlagen Flexible Storage A.B.S. Silo- und Förderanlagen GmbH, Osterburken, Germany, s...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-02-17, Peripheral Equipment with Transparency
The complete reconstruction of a production system for medical products demands a lot of patience from the participating project leaders. Not just because a thing done well cannot be done quickly, but because the numerous “rules of the game” are sometimes very difficult to combine with practice. The reasons for the greater effort are obvious, primarily the safety of patients who after all expect relief or even cure from a product.“From commencing construction to start-up of production a good thr...

Kunststoffe international, 2009-10-14, Continuous Forming
Thermoforming is an inexpensive process for producing parts from thermoplastics both for technical applications and for packaging. An important and often decisive advantage of thermoforming for the respective product is the possibility of manufacturing thin-walled parts using this process. That allows low-weight parts to be produced very rapidly and economically. This advantage is particularly relevant in packaging, but also for large-scale technical parts. Some new features and developments in ...

Kunststoffe international, 2010-11-25, Irradiation Opens up Third Film Dimension
Polyimide (PI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) are typical substrate materials used today for integrated flexible circuits in electronic applications. Hereby, PI film is practically the only material that can be processed in lead-free reflow soldering installations [1], as its excellent thermal properties fulfill one of the most important requirements: it is solder resistant. On the other hand, PI is also a relatively expensive base material for flexible f...

Kunststoffe international, 2011-05-12, Packagings Doing the Balancing Act
Agood half year ago, the K trade show revealed what will probably become more of a certainty at the interpack in May 2011. With the general challenges of globalized economy, packagings increasingly have to do the balancing act between consuming less material and providing enhanced and better functionalities. To satisfy this trend, especially plastics solutions are well-suited: Not only their great benefit – lightweight – but also their ability to protect goods in the long run, make plastics the ...

Kunststoffe international, 2011-08-24, Good for the Environment
The term “bioplastics” is ambiguous and needs to be differentiated with respect to functionality and raw materials base. To begin with, the prefix “bio” can stand for two different properties: “bio-based” and “biodegradable”. A bio-based plastic is one that is generated partly or entirely from renewable resources and can just as likely be biodegradable as it may also be nondegradable. When we speak of “biodegradability”, we mean the capability of the plastic to be transformed into CO2, water and...

Kunststoffe international, 2012-04-20, Color Diversity
Trend predictions are generally wrong and of little use as a rule. This also applies to color predictions: the automotive industry takes its cue from the fashion industry, the furniture industry looks at the automotive industry and the fashion industry searches for that elusive “zeitgeist”. In short, each thinks it has found the ultimate wisdom and propagates its color vision. But in all of this, what always gets forgotten is that the applications being compared are completely different: automot...

Kunststoffe international, 2012-09-17, Customized Development
Even though bioplastics’ share in the overall plastics market is still quite small, they have established themselves in some sectors. For instance, the production of flexible plastic film for applications such as compostable waste bags or mulch films is commonplace today. The well-aimed enhancement of these materials, especially with regard to their processability, opened up further manufacturing options including thermoforming and injection molding, to bioplastics. Several products have recentl...

Kunststoffe international, 2013-01-28, Skillful Forming
It was not until the 1960s that designers discovered the versatile plastic material for their work. They followed the popular trend at that time, paired with a courageous use of color and form. Verner Panton’s legendary cantilever chair of rigid polyurethane foam – the “Panton Chair” (Fig. 1) – went down in furniture history as the best-known representative of this age. The first all-plastic monobloc chair is still popular and trendy with retro-fans even today. First made from acrylonitrile buta...

Kunststoffe international, 2013-04-19, Flexible Heads
The dream of every tube and pipe producer of being able to use a simple “rubber head” with which any tube diameter and any wall thickness can be produced without having to stop the extrusion line will almost certainly never be fulfilled. But there are solutions which already come very close to this ideal [1]. The wider the spectrum of the geometries to be produced, however, the more complex and costly the die construction becomes. ...

Kunststoffe international, 2013-08-19, Bright Outlook for Projects “With a Bite”
The German Engineering Association (VDMA) in Frankfurt considers the economic situation of plastics & rubber processing machine manufacturers to be somewhat feeble at present, but views it with cautious optimism. During a press meeting in mid’June, the Association presented the financial statements of the past years, and commented on this year’s developments. Following the sensational recovery up to the year 2010, and stagnation in 2011, order income in 2012 fell short by 12 %.“In October la...

Kunststoffe international, 2014-01-23, Fluorinated Oils: Going Smoothly
Oils based on fluoropolymers, when applied as additives for thermoplastics and elastomers, are able to enhance significantly these materials’ properties of processing and usage. Options range from improvement of scratch and abrasion resistance as well as flexural fatigue strength, reduction of friction coefficient and squeaking, up to facilitated melt flow and demolding. The Fluoroguard additives, supplied by DuPont de Nemours (Deutschland) GmbH situated in the town of Neu-Isenburg, Germany, are...

Kunststoffe international, 2014-08-19, "Establishing a Footprint in Europe Was Essential to Accelerate Growth"
...r toluene oxidation processes in Rotterdam and the U.S. are among the largest in the world. This is the third expansion Emerald Kalama Chemical has made at the Rotterdam site over the last three years; in 2012 we started up a new operation to make K-Flex non-phthalate plasticizers and coalescents, and completed a capacity expansion for our Purox benzoic acid and benzoate preservatives in 2013. We are now in the process of a multi-million-euro project to restart a second reactor train and add anc...

Kunststoffe international, 2014-11-26, Mold Makers Are Raising their Game
To meet current challenges, mold makers are increasingly turning to high-performance molds in combination with article-specific temperature control. Companies wanting to take the leap into the future are already examining the set-up times, networking of production and linking of development processes. The customer requires molds that have paid back in one to two years. The German injection molding industry has increasingly faced conflicting priorities for some years. On one hand there are increa...

Kunststoffe international, 2015-10-12, Less Energy for More Performance
Manufacturers of extrusion blow molding lines are focusing on energy-efficient, all-electric systems. Retrofits are available for old machines that have substantial energy-saving potential. In the field of stretch blow molding, the central themes are reductions in bottle weight and aseptic filling of perishable products. In 2015, blow molding remains the most important process for manufacturing plastic hollow parts that come in complex shapes and all kinds of volumes. Most components serve as pa...

Kunststoffe international, 2016-02-17, Ancillaries and Machine Networked in Cooperation
At the last Fakuma show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, motan-colortronic, together with KraussMaffei, demonstrated that, by networking different lines of experience, it was possible to generate new and effective injection molding solutions. The precise feeding of concentrated long-fiber compounds and an OPC-UA interface for the smart integration of material management throughout the process were presented. Because of their composition and complex flow properties (rod-shaped and spherical pellets),...

Kunststoffe international, 2016-03-08, Reaching the Desired Weight in just a Few Steps
The FiberForm process developed by KraussMaffei combines the thermoforming of organic sheets and injection molding into one process. This process results in fiber-reinforced plastic components that are particularly lightweight yet feature a high level of strength. They are used primarily in vehicle manufacturing. KraussMaffei, together with the automotive supplier Takata, further developed the process during the manufacturing of an airbag housing. As a result, the component weight was reduced by...

Kunststoffe international, 2018-08-14, You Buy with Your Eyes
Female or male, young or old: many people want to look attractive. This benefits the cosmetics industry, and the market for cosmetics packaging is growing correspondingly. Plastic materials score highly here due to their outstanding freedom of design. According to estimates by the US market research institute Transparency Market Research, the global market for cosmetic packaging will grow by 4.4 % annually by 2024. In 2015, the market value was still USD 23 billion, and is expected to reach USD...