New additional service in the run-up to K 2022 in Düsseldorf: Monthly K-Talk starts online on January 20, 2022!

Topic of the first K-Talk: “Climate protection and plastics – do they go together?”
Outlook, orientation, hot topics +++ exciting live discussion rounds with industry experts, users, and representatives from the media and politics +++ K-Talk enables global dialog even before the Leading Trade Fair in the fall +++ on-demand service

On October 19 this year, K 2022, The World’s No. 1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber, will open its doors for eight days. For the 22nd time, K in Düsseldorf will be the performance barometer for the entire industry and its global marketplace for innovations.

K 2022 already offers a real highlight to get you in the mood for the major industry event: the new K-Talk. For the first time on January 20 and then once a month until the trade show in the fall, the K Talk offers exciting discussion rounds with changing international participants, such as industry experts, scientists, representatives of the user industries, from politics, media or NGOs. In doing so, K Talk provides valuable insights, focuses on the application areas of plastics, highlights technological innovations and discusses current challenges of the industry such as circular economy, climate protection and digitalization. Whether concrete best practice examples or long-term strategies for the future – the visions and different perspectives of the panelists are intended to inspire, provide orientation and encourage international exchange.

The K-Talk will be broadcast live via k-online.com and will each last 45 to a maximum of 60 minutes. The international format is in English. Active exchange is encouraged, so questions can be submitted throughout the talk via the chat function. The last quarter of an hour of K-Talk is then devoted exclusively to answering questions from the audience.

K-Talk premiere on January 20, 2022

For its premiere on January 20, 2022, K-Talk will pose the question at 3 p.m. (CET): “Climate protection and plastics – do they go together?” Panelists will be Ulrich Reifenhäuser, CSO Reifenhäuser Group, Chairman of the Plastics and Rubber Division of VDMA and Chairman of the K Exhibitor Advisory Board; Don Loepp, Editorial Director of the Global Polymer Group at Crain Communications and Editor of Plastics News (USA); and Dr. Feliks Bezati, Global Circular Packaging Director Mars, Incorporated (NL). The K-Talk will be moderated by Guido Marschall.

Comexi’s Innovative Technology Enables Wipak UK to Provide More Sustainable Solutions

 The innovative technology of Comexi, a global supplier of solutions for the flexible packaging printing and converting sector, translates into significant benefits for its customers. Wipak UK, a company specializing in the production of sophisticated, high barrier films for food products, has purchased a Comexi S1 DT slitter with double-sided laser scoring. The new capabilities resulting from this investment will allow the family-owned company to further develop its sustainable packaging portfolio.

Ramon Jonama, the Comexi Area Manager for the United Kingdom region, explains that this “innovative technology patented” by the company not only allows “for saving costs regarding the addition of labels,” but simultaneously makes “the perforation laser on both sides of the film. This results in cost reduction, plastic savings, and increased productivity.” The S1 DT slitter, which is already in operation at Wipak UK’s site in Welshpool (Powys, Wales), is one of the few machines installed around the world that can perform these sophisticated applications.

Andrew Newbold, Wipak UK’s Managing Director, comments that the inclusion of this machine in Wipak’s largest project investment in the United Kingdom, which was announced in 2020, is key to the production of packaging that has a low carbon footprint, contains recycled content and is kerbside recyclable. He further explains that Comexi was chosen as the supplier due to its technical expertise and track record of supplying machines for the wider Wipak Group.

The Comexi S1 DT, with laser in-line, is a slitter that provides excellent results in both quality and productivity, even in regard to the most demanding jobs, due to its state-of-the-art control elements and a high degree of automation. Cores, knives, laser heads, photocells, and almost every adjusting element of the machine are self-calibrating, as a result of an extremely interactive and easy-going user interface. This unique automation of the Comexi S1 DT gives the operator, without the need to intervene, the possibility to load the reel into the machine and deliver finished reels.

The turreted version of the Comexi S1 DT is capable of performing jobs that require a large number of output reels and is also able to work with the thickest materials used in the flexible packaging market, including aluminum, wax, and other special or complex materials on the market.

Furthermore, this machine includes Comexi’s laser module. This system allows every converter to run any imaginable flexible packaging laser, including easy-open, micro-perforations, windows, resealable, and a long etcetera list. Comexi’s in-line laser patented systems facilitate subsequent applications and processes, increasing productivity, capacity, and customer benefits.

The Comexi S1 DT allows for a high degree of customization, as well as many automated options, such as splicing tables, automatic reel unloading, video camera inspection, and label robotization of finished reels, thus fully guaranteeing complete system control and an exceptional increase in productivity.

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K 2022 from 19 to 26 October 2022 in Düsseldorf: Global plastics and rubber industry jointly active for climate protection, the circular economy and digitalisation

Exhibitor database now online +++ High internationality +++K-Talk, K-MAG and K-monthly now already provide pooled know-how

At the start of the K year it becomes evident once again that the plastics and rubber experts all agree: K in Düsseldorf is the most relevant meeting point for the entire industry worldwide. Exhibitors from throughout the world come to Düsseldorf to demonstrate the operational excellence of the industry and actively chart the course for the future together with visitors. And this course clearly leads to climate protection, circular economy and digitalisation – and these are also the three declared guiding themes of K 2022.

The open exchange and dialogue on solutions-oriented innovations and sustainable developments across national borders and continents will also be in focus at this year’s K in Düsseldorf. It fulfils the ideal prerequisites for engaging in intense global networking and for jointly advancing projects. Because nowhere else is the plastics and rubber industry gathered in one place with such a high degree of internationality.

Suppliers from Europe, especially from Germany, Italy, Austria, Turkey, the Netherlands, Switzerland and France will be particularly well represented again this year, but also from the USA. At the same time, K clearly reflects the changes affecting the global market: the number and presentation areas of companies from Asia have remained at a constant high for several years now. We can expect impressive appearances, especially from China, Taiwan, India, South Korea and Japan.

The approximately 3,000 exhibitors from 61 countries will occupy Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in its entirety. The exhibitor database of K 2022 is accessible at www.k-online.com/2410

K 2022 is already now providing pooled expert know-how with its K-Talk. Once a month this digital live talk in English features exciting panel discussions with a changing line-up of international participants dealing with different focal themes but always with a focus on the three guiding themes of K 2022. The first K-Talk, already held on 20 January under the heading “Climate Protection and Plastics – Do they Go Together?” – like all following K-Talks – is still available on-demand. The K-Talk in February will be all about plastics in medicine while the discussion in March is dedicated to mechanical engineering.

Launched last April, the online magazine K-MAG targets all industries related to K and delivers facts, news, stories and trends from the international plastics and rubber industry in German and English all year round.

K-monthly is the name of the new Newsletter of K in Düsseldorf. Subscribers not only receive the most interesting news and stories from the K-MAG via e-mail on a monthly basis but also current information revolving around K in Düsseldorf and the international trade fairs of the K-Global Gate family of products. Subscription is possible on the K website or the K-MAG.

INEOS O&P Europe announces exciting new applications for its Recycl-IN polymer grade range.

INEOS Olefins & Polymers Europe are today announcing an exciting new application of a new polymer grade to its portfolio of products that comprise post-consumer recyclates (PCR). The range of recycled polymer grades (Recycl-IN) is growing as INEOS and its partners develop and explore the displacement of virgin polymers with PCR materials.

 In this latest development, and working closely with the technical team at COVERIS in Winsford, Cheshire, a new stretch-hood packaging film, containing a minimum of 30% recycled material, has undergone a series of rigorous testing and trials at INEOS’ manufacturing facility in Grangemouth, Scotland intended for distribution of INEOS’ palletized polymer resin.

 These trials have demonstrated that the product integrity and quality is maintained and that the new recycled stretch-hood covering for pallets performs to the same standards as a previous solution made from 100% virgin material. It has been introduced ahead of UK legislation for packaging materials that will require a minimum content of recycled polymers.

 “This is a significant breakthrough,” says INEOS Polymer Business Manager, Graham MacLennan. “Palletised distribution of goods is increasing and a stretch-hood covering helps prevent waste, damage, and loss to products transported in this way. By substituting virgin polymer content with recycled polymers, we are actively working towards our targets to adopt a more circular approach, signaling our clear commitment to using more recycled plastic as a raw material. Our new product, developed in close partnership with COVERIS, is a clear demonstration of this. Within INEOS we remain committed to Sustainability, to achieving Net Zero in our operations and bringing solutions to the market that enable others in the supply chain to lower their carbon footprints too.”

This, and other Recycl-IN polymers, are proving that plastics remain a valuable resource, even after initial use. INEOS O&P continues to pursue technological and engineering solutions to increase the recycled content of the materials they produce, and to demonstrate to customers, supply chain partners, and the wider world that their new range of Recycl-INpolymers perform to the high standards that they expect. 

 Mike Richardson, Technical Director, Coveris Winsford said, “Coveris has extensive experience of producing high-performance films with significant recycled content. Our collaboration with INEOS has enabled us to develop a new stretch hooding product with 30% PCR content, without increasing gauge or compromising on performance. Supporting our vision of NO WASTE and the wider industry sustainability goals, the new solution offsets the need for virgin plastics whilst maintaining full recyclability, as well as being fully compliant with UK plastics packaging tax. This will allow our customers the benefits of palletised transportation using plastic tertiary packaging without compromising their sustainability and circular economy goals.” 

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Hubergroup extends its colour management system HDCC with digital print folders

In commercial and packaging printing, colour accuracy, speed, and cost-effective production are decisive. To enable customers an even more efficient production with 100% colour accuracy, hubergroup Print Solutions is now launching digital print folders based on the technology of GMG ColorCard. Thanks to the complete integration into the company’s colour management system HDCC, hubergroup offers a fully automated digital print folder communication. At the same time, the printing ink specialist remains true to its proven benchmarks such as the reliable quality verification process and the print folder layout, which is characterized by its detailed information.

Efficient colour management

The already established system HDCC (“hubergroup Digital Colour Communication”) serves as the basis for hubergroup’s digital colour communication. The patented system does not only store colour and recipe data, but also takes existing data into account and prevents duplications. This avoids multiple elaborations of the same color. Additionally, HDCC features a quality control process relying on digitally stored master colour data as well as highly stable standard paper. Patrick Hübel, Head of Colour Service Europe at hubergroup, explains: “HDCC is a standardization programme with which we ensure that our customers receive exactly the colour they want – all over the world. This is possible because all locations have access to the same, verified information.”

Reliable, fast, detailed 

As an extension to HDCC, hubergroup now integrates digital print folders which allow faster, location-independent, and therefore cost-effective processing. “Our tests showed that our digital print folders are very convincing in terms of colour accuracy, reproducibility, and lightfastness – and we can process them more efficiently than their analogue predecessor. This allows a faster production and more flexibility for our customers,” reports Heinz Aumüller, responsible for Prepress and Process Standardisation at hubergroup. “The digital print folder is fully integrated into our in-house developed colour management system HDCC. Therefore, it is verified based on the final physical match and follows the same verification rules as the analogue print folder to guarantee the high-quality criteria our customers expect from us.”

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CONFERENCE PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED FOR DETROIT MOLDING EXPO

Plastics News and AMI have published the programs for the two free-to-attend conference theaters at the Injection Molding and Design Expo, which takes place in Detroit, MI, the USA on May 25-26, 2022.

The speaker line-up boasts senior representatives from OEMs, tier-one suppliers, packaging producers, and leading molders. These include Ford Motor Company, Berry Global, Faurecia, Amcor, Westfall Technik, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, Teel Plastics, Cascade Engineering, and many more.

Located alongside the exhibition, the two conference theaters are focused on “Molding The Future” and “Designing The Future”.  They each feature busy two-day programs of keynote talks, panel discussions, and technology presentations. Admission to the conference theaters and the expo are free of charge.

“We have worked with the industry to compile programs that cover a wide range of important issues for the designers and manufacturers of injection-molded plastic parts and products,” explained Joe Pryweller, director of conference and event content at Crain Global Polymer Group.

Sean Manson, the senior conference producer at AMI, added: “Our selected speakers are covering a variety of critical themes and hot topics, such as digital manufacturing, tackling the skills shortage, strategies for business growth, factory automation, supply chain concerns, improving sustainability, design trends, cybersecurity, 3D printing and much more”.

The opening keynote presenters on the first day include Troy Nix, executive director of the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors (MAPP), whose talk is on “Working together to build a stronger molding industry in the USA”. In the other theater, Alper Kiziltas, technical expert for sustainability and emerging materials at Ford Motor Company is giving the keynote presentation on “Selecting materials for more sustainable vehicles”.

On the second day of the expo, the keynote speakers include Mark Gomulka, CEO of Westfall Technik, one of the world’s most dynamic and fastest-growing injection molding groups. He’s covering “Growth and expansion in opportunistic times”. The other opening presentation is on “Transforming product design with innovative design thinking”. It will be given by Grey Parker, principal, and CEO at Sundberg-Ferar, a leading industrial design consultancy working across a range of markets, including automotive, home appliances, consumer electronics, medical, and packaging.

Both of the conference theaters will host a series of panel discussions featuring industry leaders debating key issues facing the molding supply chain. For example, the discussion on “What makes a successful molding operation?” will feature Patricia Miller, CEO of Matrix 4; Gary Hulecki, executive VP of MTD Micro Molding; and Mike Ruggieri, president of Comar.

It will be followed by a separate discussion on the future of mold making that will include: Laurie Harbour, president, and CEO of Harbour Results; Camille Sackett, VP of sales and project management at Accede Mold & Tool; plus Brian Bendig, president of Cavalier Tool & Manufacturing. Other hot topics being debated in the “Molding The Future Theater” include how the industry can tackle skills shortages and how it can respond to supply chain issues.

The “Designing The Future Theater” will host separate debates focused on trends in automotive, rigid packaging, and medical applications, plus a discussion on designing for sustainability. Speakers on these topics will include: Katie Roco, customer engineering director at Faurecia; Jeff Stout, executive director at Yanfeng Automotive Interiors; and Carla Bailo, president and CEO of the Center for Automotive Research; David Clark, VP, sustainability at Amcor: Diane Market, sustainability manager for consumer packaging at Berry Global; Jeff Totten, chief engineer at Cascade Engineering; Thierry Fabozzi, president and CEO of Plastic Technologies Inc (PTI); Megan Tsanoukakis, VP supply chain at Sussex Injection Molding; and Christian Herrild, director of growth strategies at Teel Plastics.

In between the panel discussions, there will be a series of technology talks from leading suppliers. These will cover topics such as: specifying hot runners; harnessing factory data; microcellular foam molding; lights-out automation; Industry 4.0; advanced control systems; innovations in process simulation; and selecting materials to minimize a product’s carbon footprint.

There will also be talks of specific applications and new technologies. For example, Gene Altonen, chief technology officer at iMFLUX, will discuss his company’s innovations in adaptive processing. In addition, Steve Beasley, regional sales manager at KraussMaffei will discuss the injection molding of lightweight door modules incorporating natural fiber prepreg sheets.

The two conference theaters at the Injection Molding and Design Expo 2022 are sponsored by CAE Services and Bristlecone. The current programs and timings can be viewed here. There will be an additional Training Theater at the expo hosting a series of practical seminars from some of the industry’s leading trainers and educators. The program for this will be published next month.

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Kick-off for drupa 2024: Exhibitor registrations now possible

“drupa is the global meeting place for the industry and stands for innovations and trends,” emphasizes Erhard Wienkamp, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf. “Here we will see what impact the megatrends sustainability and digitalization will have on processes, products, business models, and the future of a constantly evolving industry.”

Focus on topics of the future
drupa will showcase cutting-edge technologies along the industry’s entire value chain with a special focus on future and cross-industry technologies. Against this background, topics such as circular economy, automation, print/finishing 4.0, Artificial Intelligence, the platform economy, and connectivity will play a central role in the conference agenda and at the special forums.

New key visual and new claim
drupa 2024 presents itself with a new, dynamic look and feel for the start of exhibitor applications. “The new motion design of our key visual combines classic graphic design with state-of-the-art digital technology and is synonymous with dynamism, motion, and especially with water as the most important resource on our planet,” explains Sabine Geldermann, Director Print Technologies Messe Düsseldorf. “It also visualizes the top themes digitalization and sustainability which drive the print & packaging industries, confront them with new challenges but also offer excellent opportunities.

International faces represent the target group of drupa which is looking forward to networking in a fascinating atmosphere characterized by diversity. Organic structures stand for aesthetics, design, and the beauty of nature. The new claim ‘we create the future’ underscores the clear commitment of the community to jointly and proactively participate in the continuous development and design of the sector. And it represents thought leaders as well as high-quality knowledge transfer.”

New exhibitor brochure sustainably produced
drupa is equally committed to the topic of sustainability – which is also successfully reflected in the new exhibitor brochure. Using state-of-the-art technology as well as environment-friendly resources this brochure was produced in a sustainable and climate-neutral way. 

Forums for interaction and dialogue
At drupa 2024 there will once again be a high-calibre lecture program by top international speakers offering a piece of valuable knowledge to stay competitive. At the drupa cube and at various touchpoints focusing on the segments Packaging, Textile, and Sustainability participants will gain detailed insights into relevant topics and impulses for growth potential as well as the further development of their business models. Start-ups will be hosted at “dna – drupa next age” using this opportunity to showcase their innovative services and ideas to a highly international and interested audience.  

Polymer fibers with graphene nanotubes make it possible to heat hard-to-reach, complex-shaped items

•     Polymer fibers with graphene nanotubes combine the flexibility of synthetic fiber with very high electrical conductivity. The nanotubes can be added into melted polypropylene or polyamide to provide electrical conductivity.
• An ultrafine conductive fiber is used for fabric or mesh that can then be integrated into a polymer system.
• Such electrically conductive heating fibers are required in the medical, agricultural, construction, oil and gas, textile, automotive, and aerospace industries.

From the warming of seating to the heating of industrial and living areas, from the heating of cars’ interior parts to the de-icing of roofs—all these challenges require flexible heating elements that allow temperature control. AMPERETEX has developed an ultrafine polymer fiber with OCSiAl’s TUBALL graphene nanotubes, also known as single-wall carbon nanotubes.

“A current equivalent to an ordinary incandescent lamp with a power of 75 W is enough to heat polymer material with a mesh made from such a fiber with nanotubes. The solution is safe for people—the voltage of clothing made of fabric with nanotubes is only 5 V,” said Pavel Pogrebnyakov, Founder and CEO of AMPERETEX.

“Graphene nanotubes are one of the highest performing conductors on Earth. At the same time, unlike other carbon additives, they are very flexible. Their shape is similar to human hair, but 50,000 times thinner. Due to their unique properties, the dosage of graphene nanotubes required to modify polymer fibers can be so low that it doesn’t affect filament production or characteristics,” said Dr. Christian Maus, Development and Support Leader for Thermoplastics at OCSiAl Group. The graphene nanotubes are available as concentrates that can be added into melted polypropylene or polyamide, for example.

Heating mesh made of innovative fibers is integrated into flexible material or complex-shaped composite elements. Laboratory tests showed fiber durability of 30,000 cycles, which is compatible with 30-year service life. Electrically conductive heating meshes have successfully passed testing in various projects, among which are an anti-icing roof and a bus stop: an anti-slip coating with integrated AMPERETEX heating elements and embedded automatic heating sensors.

“The market for the application of such fibers is huge. This includes the medical, agricultural, construction, oil and gas, automotive, and aerospace industries. Currently, we have entered the production of synthetic heating fabrics at industrial-scale volumes. This year, we plan to release a line of products for heating in previously unavailable areas. We are trying to reduce energy consumption and create solutions for the B2B sector in response to a specific request. The next step is the usage of these elements for heating of hard-to-reach objects and products with complex geometric configurations,” noted Pavel Pogrebnyakov.

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Baking up a storm with KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS

Engineering materials such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are used to improve the properties of preparatory devices for baking. Some of these benefits include soft-touch feel and chemical resistance, as they come into
contact with food.

With a diverse range of thermoplastic elastomer products and custom solutions for a variety of industries, KRAIBURG TPE offers high-quality TPE compounds that meet the requirements of preparatory devices for baking.
These include spatulas, scoops and whisks handles, buttons and sealing for baking devices, and more.

Baking made easy
KRAIBURG TPE& food-safe THERMOLAST  K TPE series of compounds are ideal for various food-contact applications because of their high-quality surface, low migration, and organoleptic properties. furthermore, the THERMOLAST  K TPE series offers good surface mapping and a wide range of hardness to allow for improved functional elements and designs of preparatory baking equipment.

Meanwhile, the soft-touch surface feel adds to the advantages of the compounds in the preparatory baking devices. KRAIBURG TPE’s TPE compounds can be pre-colored into a variety of desired hues for a better aesthetic appearance.

Some of the TPE compounds are food-safe and meet China& GB4806-2016 standard, EU Regulation No. 10/2011, and the US FDA &  Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 21 and DIN EN 71-3 requirements, meeting many
food-safe applications.

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