End Markets

Biopolymers

Weyerhaeuser & Ford Develop Cellulose-Fiber TP Composites for Automotive

WEB EXCLUSIVE: Forestry products producer Weyerhaeuser in Federal Way, Wash., has introduced a proprietary, patent-pending thermoplastic composite with cellulose-fiber reinforcement derived from wood.

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Biopolymers

Flexible Package Takes Aim at Rigid Containers

Leading sheet processor Clear Lam Packaging, Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., made three announcements during October’s Pack Expo International show in Chicago.

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Film Extrusion

Modified MDO Gives Higher Film Yields

Hosokawa Alpine American, Natick, Mass., is offering new machine-direction orientation (MDO) technology that is said to dramatically reduce the amount of film to be edge-trimmed compared with other MDO designs.

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polyolefins

VW Adopts PP Intake Manifolds in Two Car Engines

Glass-reinforced PP with proprietary heat-stabilization enhancement has emerged as a competitor for nylon in air-intake manifolds of two Volkswagen car engines: a three-cylinder gasoline engine in Brazil and Europe and a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine produced in China.

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Blow Molding

Injection Press Converts to Injection-Blow

A simple way for injection molders to get into blow molding of small containers for food, beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications has been introduced through a collaboration of Engel Austria, the injection machine supplier (U.S. office in York, Pa.,) and Italian injection moldmaker Cantoni S.r.l.

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Molded Spool Specialist Sees Growth Opportunities in Extrusion

Spools, reels, and more spools…and now custom profile extrusion has been added to the mix.

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economics

Automotive Outlook: Steady Improvement in 2013

One of the true bright spots in the economy over the past 24 months has been the automotive industry. Our forecast for 2013 calls for another solid increase of 6% to 8%.

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polyolefins

PP Compounds Used in First Thermoplastic Lift Gate in New Renault Clio

WEB EXCLUSIVE: The new Renault Clio sports what’s said to be the first all-thermoplastic, mono-material lift gate on a commercial vehicle.

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Nylon Replaces Metal in Auto Transmission Oil Pan

WEB EXCLUSIVE: A 60% glass-reinforced nylon 6 from Lanxess LLC, Pittsburgh, has replaced steel sheet in the extremely flat, yet very stiff S tronic transmission oil pan on the new Audi R8.

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The New Lightweights: Injection Molded 'Hybrid' Composites Spur Auto Innovation

A thermoplastic composite technology that emerged just a couple of years ago promises to make dramatic strides within the next two years in automotive mass production of structural components.

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Process Cooling
Blending & Dosing