End Markets
ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING: Slew of New Developments in Materials, Equipment
Three companies unveiled new developments in additive manufacturing and prototyping as 2013 came to a close, a testament to this technology's vibrant growth.
Read MoreAPPLICATIONS: High-Heat PLA in World's First Bioplastic Touchscreen Computer
The high-heat-resistant PLA compound used for the housing of the first bioplastic touchscreen computer is based on lactides from Corbion Purac.
Read MoreComing Up: LSR That Sticks to More Thermoplastics
A next-generation self-adhesive LSR will bond to additional engineering thermoplastics.
Read MoreBLOW MOLDING: Lighter PET Water Bottle Doesn’t Squish
New PET preform and bottle designs are said to create a super-lightweight 0.5-liter bottle for still water that not only weighs 34% less than the average commercial bottle of this size, but also achieves 32% more topload strength than the lightest commercial bottle.
Read MoreMATERIALS: Invista Starts Pilot Nylon 12 Production
A new producer with its own unique precursor adds security to nylon 12 supply.
Read More‘Reshoring’ Benefits Mexico, Too
Another molder is betting on Mexico getting its share of the “reshoring” trend from Asia to NAFTA.
Read MoreHusky Buys Another Moldmaker
Husky Injection Molding Systems recently acquired Schöttli Group in Switzerland, a moldmaker specializing in medical and closure molds.
Read MoreExxon to Film Processors: Go With Five Layers
For a company that did not exhibit at K 2013, ExxonMobil Chemical certainly was busy at October’s Dusseldorf trade show. Material from the Houston-based resin giant was running on a handful of film lines producing everything from five-layer collation-shrink blown film to five-layer hygiene film, three-layer lamination film, and 33-layer nano-cast stretch film.
Read MoreEVCO Plastics at 50: Still Thinking Big
In its first half-century, EVCO Plastics has grown from one half-ounce injection machine in a basement to a $130 million company with 148 presses and 900 employees at nine plants in the U.S., Mexico, and China.
Read MoreMore Growth & Equipment Investment For Processors This Year
Gardner’s research projects that processors will invest around $3.3 billion in primary machinery, auxiliary equipment, and molds and related supplies this year, about 10% more than its projection for 2013.
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