SABIC ULTEM HU Resins, A Highlight At MD&M West 2024, Can Help Ease Transition From EtO Sterilization

Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands, January 30, 2024 – SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, will highlight at MD&M West 2024 in Booth #3287 its versatile and durable ULTEM HU resins, which can help medical device manufacturers choose alternatives to ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization. Demand is growing for materials compatible with other sterilization methods in anticipation of a new ruling by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that may reduce EtO emissions from commercial sterilization facilities. ULTEM HU resins are stable across many popular sterilization processes, providing the potential for multiple use options. These resins can also withstand multiple sterilization cycles. Their excellent retention of strength and color can help reduce breakage and discoloration, thereby potentially extending the useful life of applications made with these materials.

“Increasingly stringent environmental regulations are challenging the medical device industry to find materials that support compliance,” said Maureen MacDonald-Stein, director, Portfolio Strategy and Marketing, SABIC’s Specialties business. “SABIC’s knowledgeable team of industry experts and our ongoing innovation help enable the proactive development of material solutions to address these types of challenges. In the case of upcoming reductions in EtO emissions, we offer specialty thermoplastics that help device makers to smoothly transition to other sterilization methods without impacting key material properties.”

At MD&M West 2024, SABIC will give a presentation on this topic, titled “How thermoplastic material selection impacts durability and sterilization of medical devices.” The talk, given by Paul Nugent, SABIC’s senior business manager, will take place on Wednesday, February 7 at 3:30 p.m. PST in Design Alley. It will cover properties and performance data for ULTEM HU resins compared to those of polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) resin before and after sterilization, and application case studies.

Providing Alternatives to EtO Sterilization

Ethylene oxide gas is a human carcinogen, and long-term exposure can lead to harmful effects. Therefore, on April 11, 2023, the EPA issued a proposal to significantly strengthen and update Clean Air Act standards for EtO emitted from commercial sterilizing facilities. The proposed rule would reduce EtO emissions by an estimated 80 percent.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), approximately 50 percent of sterile medical devices are treated with EtO, totaling about 20 billion devices each year. In view of the upcoming EPA rule, which requires changes such as reducing the amount of EtO applied in medical device sterilization, device makers may wish to use other methods.

ULTEM HU resins are compatible with a number of mainstream sterilization methods, including vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) gas plasma, steam autoclave, gamma radiation, electron beam, X-ray and ultraviolet-C. Under exposure to repeated sterilization cycles, these materials retain their high strength, dimensional stability and attractive aesthetics.

Customers can choose ULTEM HU1000 resin, an unfilled polyetherimide (PEI) featuring excellent mechanical and thermal properties, or ULTEM HU1004 resin a PEI blend offering good ductility and enhanced hydrostability. These grades are biocompatible, resistant to chemicals and inherently flame retardant.

Thanks to their strength and stiffness, unreinforced ULTEM HU resins can replace metal in medical device components, where they deliver light weight, design flexibility and streamlined processing. SABIC’s glass fiber-reinforced grades, such as ULTEM HU2200 and HU2300 resins, may also be options when even higher strength is required.

SABIC’s medical-grade products are backed by its Healthcare Product Policy, which validates these materials meet global safety standards, are covered by an FDA Drug or Device Master File and are subject to formula lock and a stringent change management process.

https://www.sabic.com/en

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PLAYMOBIL Selects Plant-Based Styrenics Material From INEOS Styrolution For New Sustainable Toys

PLAYMOBIL has confirmed that it has converted the production of all items in its toddler portfolio from traditional, fossil-based to plant-based materials. The new PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR playsets will be produced with INEOS Styrolution’s sustainable bio-based ABS material Terluran ECO GP-22 BC100. The suffix “BC100” indicates 100% bio-based feedstock, i.e. all three conventional feedstock components in ABS are replaced by renewable feedstock. This approach allows to maximize the renewable feedstock in the respective material with only additives remaining on conventional feedstock. The sustainable material is provided through an ISCC certified mass balanced approach.

Transparent toy components are made with the MBS Zylar ECO 960 BC90. It contains 90% bio-based feedstock – again in an ISCC-certified mass balance approach. As a consequence, all PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR toys are made with at least 90% plant-based materials.

PLAYMOBIL is already an ISCC member and is currently also undergoing the ISCC certification process.

Dr. Christian Ruthard, Product Manager ECO EMEA says: “Terluran ECO GP-22 BC100 is a material with a neutral to even negative carbon footprint, when biogenic carbon is taken into account.”

Sven Riechers, Vice President Sales management EMEA at INEOS Styrolution says: “We have a long-standing relationship with PLAYMOBIL. I am impressed by the speed at which they adopted our bio-based materials. Our two companies share the same values. We both care for the environment and future generations to enjoy it. Thus, it comes naturally that the bio-based material will be integrated into the production of the PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR Toddler portfolio.”

PLAYMOBIL CEO Bahri Kurter: “After successfully establishing several classic product lines to now use recycled and bio-based plastics, converting the production of our toddler line is another important step on our ambitious sustainability agenda.”

The new plant-based plastics under the new brand PLAYMOBIL JUNIOR can be traced back to materials left over from food or paper production according to the mass balance approach used in the circular economy and based on the ISCC 208 standard. For the packaging, at least 90% recycled cardboard and 100% recycled paper are used. The change to sustainable materials is also accompanied by a relaunch of the packaging design. The entire product range is planned to be converted by the middle of the year.

This makes PLAYMOBIL the first major toy manufacturer worldwide to offer a complete product segment using at least 90 % plant-based materials.

https://www.playmobil.com/de-de/

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New Managing Director for Arburg in Taiwan

Mitchell Yang heads Arburg subsidiary

• New Managing Director in office in Taichung since February
• Successor to Michael Huang, who has been growing Arburg in Taiwan since 2015
• Taiwanese market extremely important for the company

Arburg’s subsidiary in Taichung, Taiwan, has had a new Managing Director. Mitchell Yang has taken over from Michael Huang, who successfully established the subsidiary in 2015 and has been growing it ever since. Yang and the company’s Taiwanese customers can rely on a strong, competent local team with a comprehensive infrastructure.

Mitchell Yang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering and an Executive MBA. He also brings extensive management and sales experience to his new job.

A very important market

The Taiwanese market has always been very important for Arburg, and with Mitchell Yang on board, the headquarters in Lossburg is confident that plastic injection moulding in Taiwan will continue to progress successfully. As Mitchell Yang points out: “Continuity is a key factor in motivating customers to remain loyal to a company. This is also true for Taiwan – and is why they can count on Arburg to be their reliable partner in the Taiwanese market for years to come.”

In the coming months, Mitchell Yang will take part in an intensive induction programme in close cooperation with the Arburg headquarters in Lossburg, Germany. This will ensure that the high standard of all services in keeping with the Arburg brand promise “Wir sind da.” (“We are here for you”) will continue to be provided in the long term and at the same level as in Germany.

Arburg: Home of injection moulding machines in Taiwan

As a leading centre for the production of electronic semiconductors, Taiwan offers mechanical engineering and injection moulding experts a wide range of market opportunities. Industries such as 3C electronics (computers, consumer electronics and communication), sporting goods and medical technology are developing at a rapid pace locally. In addition, manufacturers in Taiwan are focusing heavily on automation and digital transformation. These are all areas that Arburg covers comprehensively with its technology and service portfolio.To fully support these customer needs, the subsidiary in Taichung has a showroom with two latest-generation Allrounders equipped with the new Flexlift linear robotic system for Asia. This enables Arburg Taiwan to offer its customers extensive application-related advice for plastic injection moulding solutions with added value. In the training area, customers can also benefit from detailed application-related support and complete training courses on all aspects of Arburg technology. Rapid spare parts ordering and in-depth service top off the portfolio of services and ensure smooth production operations without compromise.

www.arburg.com

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 Packaging – “Place Your Bets” – A Wave of Changes on the Horizon

For decades, the packaging industry has operated behind the scenes, driven by the things we encounter every day, some of which rely on machinery and processes established over 50 years ago, the industry has recently stepped into the spotlight. While the saying “out of sight, out of mind” has applied well to this industry, it is now facing significant changes that could have occurred independently but have now converged.

The convergence of conjunctural and structural elements is reshaping the packaging industry. While these elements may not fundamentally challenge an industry known for its resilience, they are compelling all players to embrace change.

Let’s start with the conjunctural elements that are evident and notably impacting profit margins.

Increase in energy and raw material prices. The significant price hikes, even when passed on to customers, are not sustainable in the long run. It is imperative for converters to implement energy-efficient production lines. Equally important is quality control and waste reduction. For machine manufacturers, after implementing notable price increases in 2021 and 2022, they now revamp their offering behind one simple motto: automation. We will look into this further later on.

Scarcity of labor and qualification of employees. The packaging industry remains relatively unknown to the general public. If we were to survey individuals with no professional or family ties to the industry, they would likely perceive it as a traditional and noisy sector. Furthermore, packaging is often seen as polluting and environmentally unfriendly. However, the advent of digital machinery and AI presents opportunities for packaging manufacturers to offer new careers and reshape their image to attract fresh talent.

Now let’s delve into the structural topics:

Proliferation of short print runs. The growth of short print runs is expected to accelerate in the coming years. Brands manage increasingly diverse product portfolios, and sales forecasting has become more complex. The concept of “on-demand production” is becoming the norm. Additionally, promotional and event-based packaging, which often has a short lifespan, contributes to this trend. Furthermore, frequent regulatory changes require brands to update packaging information, necessitating new printing plates each time.

Evolving role of packaging. Packaging is no longer just about protection; it plays a crucial role in enticing customers, informing consumers, and optimizing the supply chain. As a result, new designs, customization, QR codes, and serialization are becoming increasingly common. These new responsibilities lead to more sophisticated and ever-changing print runs, contributing to the reduction of run lengths across all types of packaging.

Design and miniaturization. Design is gaining increasing importance for consumers and brands alike. Appealing design attracts consumers, while miniaturization reduces material consumption, environmental impact, and costs. These trends require more frequent design iterations and higher-performing machines capable of producing more complex formats.

New regulations. Brands and retailers are required to be transparent about the composition and origin of their packaging. Communication about materials used, recycled content, and recyclability can render certain packaging types and the machines producing them obsolete. Many large brand owners made significant pledges towards recyclable packaging by 2025. The clock is ticking.

Environmental responsibility. With growing concerns about the environmental impact of packaging, there is a shift from plastic to paper/cardboard and the development of new mono-component substrates for easier recycling. However, the challenge lies in the existence of recycling infrastructure. Packaging manufacturers need to implement industrial production processes capable of handling these new materials across coating, vacuum metallizing, printing, and lamination to the manufacture of final packages with proper sealing and opening features.

So, what’s next?

Combining the conjunctural and structural elements, it becomes apparent that the packaging industry will face numerous significant challenges. It must evolve to become more flexible, responsive, and adaptive. In this context, what are the opportunities and upcoming changes?

Automation and quality control. The increasing trend towards automation allows for the reduction of scarce and costly skilled labor. It also helps minimize errors and waste. Machines equipped with quality control systems – eg AVT, ACCUCHECK can rectify shortcomings or halt production. With the integration of AI, these systems will make significant progress, enabling machine operators to supervise multiple machines with very limited physical intervention.

Digitalization. While the digitalization of labeling has become prevalent, the folding carton, corrugated board and flexible packaging sectors are still relatively hesitant. However, the global threshold of 100 digital presses for corrugated board packaging was crossed by the end of 2022, indicating a shift towards digitalization adoption. The overall packaging digital transformation extends beyond printing and encompasses embellishment and cutting such as Highcon, SEI Laser, MGI, Jetfx. Although current solutions may not yet match the productivity levels of conventional technologies, they are necessary to optimize overall production and allow conventional equipment to focus what they are designed for meaning medium and long print runs.

Digital technologies are an incredible tool, not a threat, and it will intelligently complement conventional technologies that will persist for decades. We will also see the rise of hybrid solutions combining the best of both worlds. Many label converters and commercial printing companies can testify to the advantages of digital technology. The adage “we fear what we do not know” remains true in most industries.

Workflow management. It has become the nerve center of packaging manufacturers. From order placement to pre-press, production, quality control, and invoicing, optimizing the flow of production and processes and mastering workflow management are fundamental. data-driven processes, leading to greater operational efficiency and optimized resource allocation are now required for faster-time to market and more flexibility. And the advent of AI will further enhance the power of software tools and machines for an ultimate flexibility including preventive maintenance. The challenge lies in employees’ ability to effectively manage the provided information, and management’s willingness to validate recommendations from intelligent systems. At drupa, visiting ESKO, Hybrid Software and others will be a must and probably where you will touch the future the most.

Web-to-Packaging and new business models. Digitalization and automation are gradually leading us towards factories managed by robots operating day and night with minimal human intervention. Major packaging equipment manufacturers are investing in or acquiring robotics companies – eg Durst and BOBST. Within less than five years, factories producing packaging in an “Industry 4.0” format will become a reality. Although these dark factories will only address a small portion of production, the course has been set. Last, new technologies enable new players to build new business models offering services not available before.

New entrants and consolidation. The packaging industry provides an opportunity for players from the declining commercial printing industry to enter new markets. These printers are well-versed in the digital realm and skilled in managing sophisticated workflows with optimized margins. While they may not have all the necessary equipment for mass packaging production, their focus will be on short and personalized packaging print runs, typical in commercial printing. Furthermore, consolidation within the packaging industry will continue. Significant investments are required in all sectors, and expertise needs to be enriched with new skills, facilitating acquisitions and mergers.

The key challenges for all stakeholders in the packaging industry will be managing growth, addressing more complex packaging formats, overcoming environmental constraints, implementing new regulations, attracting new talent to the industry, developing new business models like web-to-pack, and welcoming new entrants from the commercial printing world.

drupa.com

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KRAIBURG TPE To Spearhead Sustainable TPE Innovations And Solutions In CHINAPLAS 2024

KRAIBURG TPE, the global thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) manufacturer is excited to announce its participation in CHINAPLAS 2024, chinaplas which takes place in NECC Shanghai, China, from April 23 to April 26 2024 to highlight its latest TPE solutions suitable for diverse industries.

KRAIBURG TPE will be located at Hall 7.2, Booth K42 during CHINAPLAS 2024. Find out how KRAIBURG TPE can innovatively meet your exacting TPE demands as we work together to create a more robust and sustainable world. Our team looks forward to demonstrate our TPE’s transformative solutions and potential and engage in insightful discussions regarding the future of our industry.

Sustainability at the Core: Reducing Footprints, Raising Standards

KRAIBURG TPE is aggressively promoting a cleaner future in response to sustainability concerns that are being raised around the world. Our Asia Pacific Sustainability TPE solutions, comprising up to 48% post-consumer recycled (PCR) and 50% post-industrial recycled (PIR) content actively promote eco-friendly initiatives. These materials are used in automotive exteriors, consumer electronics, wearable applications, toothbrushes, razors, and more. KRAIBURG TPE is thrilled to present its steadfast commitment to innovation, sustainability, and quality, and support customers further by providing product carbon footprint values upon request.

Driving Progress in Automotive Excellence

KRAIBURG TPE is dedicated to delivering state-of-the-art materials and innovations to meet the evolving needs of diverse sectors, particularly in the automotive industry. Engineered for outstanding performance such as weather resistance, low density, controlled level of emission and odor, soft touch surface, chemical stability to substances such as oils, greases, AdBlue and fuels. Our TPE materials are tailored to meet the rigorous demands of the automotive industry, either in interior, exterior or in powertrain applications.

Fulfills your Packaging Needs

KRAIBURG TPE offers safe materials for cosmetic and food packaging. These materials meet international standards such EU Directive No. 10/2011, FDA CFR, Title 21, EN 71/3 regulations, China GB 4806:2016, as well as REACH, SVHC and RoHS. They do not contain any animal ingredients and are colorable to suit consumer applications for various cosmetics and food packaging applications such as lip gloss, mascara, food containers, seals and squeeze bottles.

TPE for the Asia Pacific’s Healthcare Market

In addition, KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST H for healthcare and medical applications meet stringent international standards such as ISO 10993-5 and GB/T16886.5 for cytotoxicity. This exclusively designed TPE for the Asia Pacific market benefits the customers with its wide range of applications such as healthcare and medical devices, syringe gasket, medical resealing, catheter, tubings, packaging and other applications requiring good chemical resistance, good haptic and sterilizable properties.

https://www.kraiburg-tpe.com/en

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