Combat the skilled labor shortage using this comprehensive resource to train your own plastics processing experts.
Deep dive into the basics of blending versus dosing, controls, maintenance, process integration and more. masterbatch para polipropileno
This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.
Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.
Scheduled and unscheduled production disruptions, and projected higher feedstock costs could be key factors.
Entering 2025, prices of major commodity and volume resins are generally in a ‘buyer’s market.’
While PE price reductions were not as apparent, they too were following the year-end price trajectory of PP, PS, PVC and PET.
Going into fourth quarter, prices of the five commodity resins were heading downward, barring supply interruptions.
This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.
While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.
Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.
Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.
In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.
In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.
Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.
In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.
Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.
In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.
Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
Whether or not your process setup includes adding cushion depends on multiple factors, including the part being molded. Learn when and how to effectively apply cushion in your process.
Molecular weight might seem like an abstract concept, but it plays a crucial role in determining the behavior of plastics during processing and in their final applications.
When Jeff Smith received a notice evicting his promising business out of his house, it could have been the end of Elite Biomedical Solutions’ and Elite Precision Plastics’ stories before they really got started, instead it was just the beginning.
Future expectations reach 2024 high on the heels of the recent election.
Researchers work to scale up a biomanufacturing process for succinic acid, an important building block for industrial chemicals and a biopolymer precursor.
Plastics auxiliary and primary processing equipment was optimized for running pellets; here’s how you can adjust to the bulk density differences of flake and regrind in drying, conveying, mixing, feeding and processing.
The Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) returns March 18-20 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, with elements old and new.
Entering 2025, prices of major commodity and volume resins are generally in a ‘buyer’s market.’
Leading maker of portable sanitation products knew thermoforming, sheet extrusion, rotomolding and injection molding. Then it found the missing link to higher productivity and new markets: blow molding.
DCT saves 60 man-hours per week by shifting from paper records and discrete spreadsheets to a shared, automatic production monitoring platform.
The Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) returns March 18-20 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois, with elements old and new.
The third iteration of the event takes place March 18-20 in Rosemont, Illinois, providing three days of exhibits, technical education and professional networking.
Plastics Technology’s Hot Shots parts competition is accepting submissions for the 2025 contest, with winners to be announced at PTXPO 2025.
Topping five other entries in voting by fellow molders, the Ultradent team talks about their Hot Shots sweep.
Serendipitous Learning Opportunities at PTXPO Underscore the Value of Being Present.
Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.
Center will be dedicated to product engineering, materials science and manufacturing technologies.
Südpack’s Multifol Extreme film is well suited for greasy, protein-rich and frozen foods
Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.
Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.
The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.
Discover how artifical intelligence is revolutionizing plastics processing. Hear from industry experts on the future impact of AI on your operations and envision a fully interconnected plant.
Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.
After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.
Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.
When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.
As self-imposed and government-issued sustainability mandates approach, injection molders reimagine their operations.
August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.
Get your clicking finger in shape and sign up for all that we have in store for you in 2023.
Molding 2023 to take place Aug. 29-30 in Minnesota; Extrusion 2023 slated for Oct. 10-12 in Indiana.
With the fluctuating costs of materials and the absence of technical staff, it is increasingly important to optimize your workflow and utilize equipment to the best of its ability. This webinar will cover the best blending practices by discussing the characteristics of the best blender, how to use the blender to the best of its ability and how to integrate the blender with other elements of the work cell. Agenda: Characteristics of the best blender How to use the blender to the best of its ability How to integrate the blender into other elements of the work cell
Understanding plastic material compatibility and joint design is critical to achieving optimal weld strength and meeting industry standards. Discover how to optimize joint configurations and manage material properties to enhance weld reliability, minimize defects and boost efficiency. Gain key insights to optimize your laser and ultrasonic plastic welding processes for better results. Agenda: Learn the principles of plastic material compatibility and their impact on weld strength Discover best practices for joint design to ensure optimal welding integrity Explore strategies for optimizing weld joint configurations for enhanced reliability Understand how to manage material behavior to minimize defects during welding Gain insights into achieving compliance with stringent industry standards
Join this webinar to explore the transformative benefits of retrofitting your existing injection molding machines (IMMs). Engel will guide you through upgrading your equipment to enhance monitoring, control and adaptability — all while integrating digital technologies. You'll learn about the latest trends in IMM retrofitting (including Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits) and discover how to future-proof your machines for a competitive edge. With insights from industry experts, it'll walk you through the decision-making process, ensuring you make informed choices that drive your business forward. Agenda: Maximize the value of your current IMMs through strategic retrofitting Learn how to integrate digital technologies to enhance monitoring and control Explore the benefits of Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits Understand how retrofitting can help meet new product demands and improve adaptability Discover how Engel can support your retrofitting needs, from free consultations to execution
The aim of this presentation is to guide you through the factors and the numbers that will help you determine if a robot is a smart investment for your application. Agenda: Why are you considering automation? What problems are you trying to solve? How and why automation can help Crunch the numbers and determine the ROI
An overview on the use of chemical foaming agents (CFAs) to successfully foam single and multilayered rotational molding parts, this webinar will illustrate the multiple benefits rotational molders can achieve, including reducing resin consumption, decreasing part weight, enhancing wall thickness and improving structural rigidity. Agenda: Charging the mold Dosing ratios Venting Optimal decomposition temperatures, cycle times and drop times for drop box applications Cooling considerations
Join Engel in exploring the future of battery molding technology. Discover advancements in thermoplastic composites for battery housings, innovative automation solutions and the latest in large-tonnage equipment designed for e-mobility — all with a focus on cost-efficient solutions. Agenda: Learn about cutting-edge thermoplastic composites for durable, sustainable and cost-efficient battery housings Explore advanced automation concepts for efficient and scalable production See the latest large-tonnage equipment and technology innovations for e-mobility solutions
ANTEC® 2025, SPE's Annual Technical Conference, showcases the latest advances in industrial, laboratory, academic, and international work focused on plastics and polymer science. ANTEC® will address a range of plastics technologies, polymer research, new materials, innovative processes, and more. There will also be a focus on scientific, technical, or industrial problems and their solutions. In addition to a comprehensive program, ANTEC® 2025 will offer exceptional networking opportunities, our prestigious SPE awards, symposiums, and our exclusive ANTEC® All-Access VIP Experience.
The International Conference on Polymers and Composites (ICPC) aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of polymers and composites. It also provides a premier interdisciplinary platform for researchers, practitioners and educators to present and discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and concerns as well as practical challenges encountered and solutions adopted in the fields of polymers and composites.
Each year Products Finishing partners with thousands of finishing operations in the U.S. to celebrate National Surface Finishing Day (NSFD) on the first Wednesday in March. NSFD is designed to celebrate and showcase the industry to trade schools, businesses, officials and media, as well as to celebrate employees and staff. The overarching goal of NSFD is to bring further awareness to the important roles plating and coating facilities play in their communities. Facilities are encouraged to host events and work with local media to build awareness about the contributions made by the surface finishing industry. For a helpful guide to reaching out to media outlets, download the NSFD toolkit here. How can you celebrate? Share your company’s story Hold an open house where the public can check out your facility –— either in person or virtual Offer student shop tours to local trade schools Invite local elected officials to visit and get to know your staff Celebrate your employees Share news about what you’re doing on social media and use the hashtag #NationalSurfaceFinishingDay or #NSFD
In its 25th edition, Plastimagen seeks to reaffirm as the main gateway to the plastic sector in Mexico and Latin America. This event will bring together a variety of leading leaders of the plastic industry, including capital goods, suppliers of raw materials, investors, representatives of organizations and members of the Academy. The event will have as its main objective to promote the transformation of the industry towards a more sustainable model. This will be sought to facilitate robust economic development, and providing solutions aimed at achieving a circular economy. PLASTIMAGEN® MEXICO IS THE BIGEST INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION FOR THE PLASTICS PROCESSING INDUSTRY IN MEXICO AND LATIN AMERICA. This Event Brings Together The Entire Production Chain With Top Suppliers To Meet The Needs of Various Industries. PLASTIMAGEN® MEXICO 2025 WILL FEATURE OVER 870 COMPANIS REPRUBOVE 1,600 Brands from More than 27 Countries, 14 International Pavililons, and A Specialized Pavilion by the National Association of Plastics Industries Industries In Mexico (Anipac). You'll see the latest in plastics processing, design innovations, and materials that support the circular economy.
PTXPO 2025 is a comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technologies and innovations within the plastics molding industry. Join fellow molders, moldmakers, brand owners, OEMs and their full suite of suppliers in Rosemont, Illinois, for three days of nonstop networking, education and business development opportunities.
Critical Cleaning Hands-on Workshop Do it; learn it! The one-day workshop teaches how cleaning and cleanliness testing work. By participating in hands-on exercises of techniques for cleaning and cleanliness verification, attendees gain the understanding and knowledge to make practical, effective, and sustainable manufacturing decisions. While exercises are supplemented by demonstrations and tutorials, the workshop is not death by PowerPoint! Topics include aqueous, solvent, and “non-chemical” cleaning, including cleaning chemicals and cleaning processes (spray, ultrasonics, cyclic nucleation, in-line, batch). Most manufactured product and product contact surfaces require cleaning during (and sometimes after) manufacture and assembly. Examples of areas where effective cleaning is essential include: metal fabrication, product assembly, optics, electronics, microelectronics, wafer fab, medical devices, aerospace/aeronautics, military, and additive manufacturing. WHAT DO YOU CALL CLEANING? There are many different terms for cleaning. Cleaning Precision Cleaning Critical Cleaning Safety/Critical Cleaning Surface Prep for Finishing Technical Cleanliness Residue Removal WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM THE WORKSHOP If you or your company fabricates, finishes, maintains or repairs product or product contact surfaces (like reaction vessels), this workshop is time well-spent. If you sell chemicals or cleaning equipment, this workshop will help you better understand and optimize the market for your products. Examples include: Manufacturing Engineers Product Designers Managers Sales and Marketing Managers Facilities Personnel Assemblers, operators Process Technicians Quality Control Personnel Regulatory Affairs Experts (industry, military, and government) Safety/environmental professionals Participants will receive a PDF Certificate of Completion with continuing education credits from Sam Houston State University.
Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.
New additive technology promises to enable film processors to utilize less plastic and boost recyclability by creating nanoscale air pockets or cavities in the film while it is being stretched via either machine or biaxial orientation equipment. Orientation of the film is critical because the additives are designed to separate from the polymer during stretching to create these material-saving pockets. Between cavitation and orientation, processors utilizing this technology can expect to cut their resin usage by up to one-third.
So says VOID Technologies, the developer of the additive VO+, which is available as a pellet masterbatch. The technology was originated by Kimberly-Clark as part of a research initiative to promote more sustainable polymer applications. In 2015, VOID was launched as an independent company with the purpose of expanding the technology from lab-scale concept into a commercial product. Today, it has a 25,000-square-foot R&D lab and manufacturing facility in Neenah, Wisconsin, equipped with lab- and commercial-scale twin-screw co-rotating compounding extruders for R&D and production, and a pilot-sized blown film line with machine direction orientation (MDO) for R&D and trial work. VOID also has commercial teams in Canada and Europe.
“Kimberly-Clark developed the technology, and I had a good relationship with them as we had previously worked together on other projects,” says James Gibson, VOID’s co-founder and CEO, who led the spinout from K-C. “They thought it was really exciting and innovative technology, but also felt it was more relevant to markets outside of their core focus.”
This led to what Gibson describes as a “two-year incubation project where we took the value proposition of putting cavitation into polymers and figuring out whether anyone in the world cares about it.” The “overwhelming feedback” Gibson received from visiting companies throughout the flexible packaging supply chain was that lightweighting polymers without sacrificing mechanical properties was extremely appealing. Gibson says, “I had to figure out very quickly what section of the very large plastics industry we were going to focus on and, after a couple of twists and turns, we decided to heavily focus on opaque films, primarily polyethylene.”
VOID’s plant in Wisconsin houses twin-screw compounding extruders for R&D and production runs. Source: VOID Technologies
Gibson notes that, over the last few years, more and more film processors are adding orientation equipment to their production lines to develop recycle-ready PE packaging applications. He elaborates, “We’re seeing a big adoption of MDO technology in the film market. Some film processors are on their third, fourth lines already, and with more on order.”
The technology is covered by roughly 35 patent families with more than 300 territory patents. Gibson divulged that its proprietary masterbatch formula “relies on multiple polymers with different types of chemistry” to create the cavities, which he explains result in density reductions. What’s more, the voids in the polymer diffract light, which he says creates high levels of opacity without need for TiO2.
“What’s unique about the masterbatch is that different parts of the formulation can be tuned to achieve different attributes,” Gibson adds. So you can tailor for more density reduction or more opacity driven, and that’s why we think polymeric cavitation is really special.” The masterbatch is available in pellet form. The masterbatch is typically dosed at about 10% of the overall formulation, Gibson says, adding, “you end up with only about 6% of non-PE additive in the final film structure, and that’s super important for recyclability.”
“We’re seeing a big adoption of MDO technology in the film market. Some film processors are on their third, fourth lines already, and with more on order.”
VOID has conducted several commercial-scale R&D trials using VO+ technology in Germany at the global headquarters of both Windmoeller & Hoelscher and Hosokawa Alpine. Utilizing blown film lines equipped with inline MDO, the trial focused on a variety of PE film structures for applications such as all-PE laminates (sealant films and mid-ply), wicketed bags and flow wrappers, Gibson explains. The properties of these voided films varied depending on the PE used and the specific production conditions, such as extrusion and MDO stretch ratio/temperature.
In Wisconsin, VOID also houses pilot-sized blown film and orientation equipment to trial formulations.
Says Gibson, “For example, we’ve run several trials on W&H and Alpine equipment to produce films for applications such as midwebs, sealant films and wicketed bags. These applications are typically based on LLDPE/m-LLDPE-rich film structures. During these trials, we have produced 25-90 µm voided films with low density (0.80-0.85g/cm3) and opacity without TiO2 (50-70% depending on film gauge). These films have also been able to achieve excellent Dart Drop performance (for example, >1000g in a 50µm film), which can enable customers to downgauge and save even more material.
“We’ve also run trials to produce film structures for flow wrappers for confectionery packaging. This application requires relatively high stiffness and high opacity in a thin film, so we used HDPE resins (for stiffness) and a small amount of TiO2 to boost opacity. In these trials, we’ve been able to produce 30-40 µm films with densities between 0.83 and 0.90g/cm3 and opacity as high as 70%.
“Importantly for this application, it’s not possible in films thinner than 35 µm to achieve the high opacity requirements with just TiO2 without increasing density above limits for recyclability set by the Association of Plastics Recyclers/How2Recycle (0.996g/cm³) and RecyClass (0.970g/cm³). Gibson notes that at thickness levels below 35 µm, film processors that need a high level of opacity in their structure traditionally add relatively high levels of TiO2. This results in film density reaching the levels of 0.97-1.00 grams/c3. Such films, he says, are deemed to not be recyclable by APR or RecyClass in a sink float separation system. “Processors want high-opacity thin films, but they can't do it with TiO2 alone because it's heavy.”
Figure 1 – VOID explains that PE film cavitation created by its proprietary masterbatch during orientation results in low density and high opacity, with the internal structure scattering light instead of pigments.
In cast film, Gibson notes that, as with blown film, its additive technology requires a postextrusion orientation step to generate cavitation. He notes, “Initial pilot-scale tests in cast biax PE film have shown very positive results, and we plan to conduct larger scale tests in 2025. We have also achieved very encouraging results from pilot-scale tests using a different VO+ masterbatch in polyester films (cast film with transverse direction stretch) for applications such as labels.” While VOID has conducted trials with inline orientation, Gibson notes that the additive technology can also be used by film processors that run their stretching equipment offline.
Figure 2 – VOID says its VO+ patented additive creates nanoscale air pockets that create high-performance films with a reduced environmental footprint.
In addition to VOID’s R&D trials on Alpine and W&H lines, Gibson notes its customers are also doing an extensive amount of converting trial work, including end-to-end supply chain trials, to develop new MDO-voided films and packaging applications. In fact, earlier this year Charter Next Generation (CNG) expanded its GreenArrow line of sustainable films with a new line of cavitated recycle-ready PE films for flow wrap and confectionery applications. Using VOID’s patented VO+ masterbatch on an MDO-equipped blown film line, CNG produced high-performing PE film structures that are opaque yet compatible with existing PE recycling streams.
Adoption of MDO PE film is a rapidly growing industry trend as it enables recyclable, high-performing flexible packaging. By using VO+ Masterbatch, CNG can now produce thin-gauge voided MDO PE films that offer a combination of low density and high opacity not achievable with mineral additives such as TiO2 pigments or CaCO3 cavitation agents. This innovation creates a unique PE-based, recycle-ready alternative to conventional polypropylene-based substrates that often require biaxial orientation.
“CNG continues to raise the bar and reinvent packaging with a sustainability-first mindset. Using VOID’s patented VO+ technology enables us to achieve the high opacity, ease of processing and recycle-ready performance we are targeting for these films. This in turn allows our customers to reduce their use of virgin materials and process their packaging in existing polyethylene film recycling streams,” says Brent Greiner, CNG’s vice president of technology.
Building on initial launches, over the next months Gibson says VOID and customers both in North America and elsewhere in the world are expected to conclude more than 30 industrial-scale production trials utilizing the VO+ technology.
Designing cooling rolls is complex, tedious and requires a lot of inputs. Getting it wrong may have a dramatic impact on productivity.
First, remember there is no universal cooling-roll stack. And be sure to take into account the specific heat of the polymer you are processing.
Simulation can determine whether a die has regions of low shear rate and shear stress on the metal surface where the polymer would ultimately degrade, and can help processors design dies better suited for their projects.
Extrusion simulations can be useful in anticipating issues and running “what-if” scenarios to size extruders and design dies for extrusion projects. It should be used at early stages of any project to avoid trial and error and remaking tooling.
A collaboration between show organizer PLASTICS, recycler CPR and size reduction experts WEIMA and Conair recovered and recycled all production scrap at NPE2024.
With advocacy, communication and sustainability as three main pillars, Seaholm leads a trade association to NPE that ‘is more active today than we have ever been.’
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