LNP invests to drive global expansion and innovations

GE Plastics acquired custom compounder LNP Engineering Plastics in 2002. Recently announced plans to invest in increased capacity and new technology are intended to grow the business significantly over the next few years. Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on the plans and some of the new products reaching the market to solve novel applications.     

Wire and cable: some new developments

There are a number of issues to be considered when selecting a compound for wire and cable applications. Plastics Additives & Compounding looks at some recently undertaken research in the trends in the market for wire and cable and some technical developments in the area.     

Extruders for compounding

A wide variety of extruders are available to handle a range of tasks for compounders and masterbatches. Plastics Additives & Compunding looks at some of the products on the market.     

Fibre reinforcement in plastic compounds

Plastics reinforcement is usually through the use of a fibre or filament, used either on its own or in mixtures. Plastics Additives & Compounding looks at some of the main fibre types and describes their key qualities.     

US compounding market set to bounce back

After a poor year for plastic compounders in the USA in 2001, a number of industry analysts are predicting a modest improvement this year and sustained growth in the years to follow. Jennifer Markarian gauges a few opinions for Plastics Additives & Compounding on the state of the market in the USA and some of the issues - economic and technical - currently driving the industry.     

New antimicrobial masterbatches provide performance and low toxicity

A new range of antimicrobial masterbatches has been launched by AddMaster (UK) Ltd in association with Microbial Systems International Ltd. The JMAC range of antimicrobial masterbatches is claimed to offer performance and low toxicity for most polymeric applications. Plastics Additives & Compounding reports.     

Single screw extruders

The single screw extruder can offer a number of advantages over other continuous mixing systems such as lower costs, less maintenance and simpler operation. Pigments and additives can now be incorporated into resins to give compounds that may have filler loadings of up to 50%. New developments are now solving limitations in output, product uniformity and control. Plastics Additives & Compounding takes a look at some of the single screw extruders on the market     

Protecting PVC profiles in desert regions

Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on products currently available for protecting plastics against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and heat.     

Ferro tailors stabilizers to local markets

Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on products currently available for protecting plastics against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and heat.     

New underwater pelletizing techniques under development at BKG

New underwater and strand pelletizing technologies are now available to the compounder. Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on some recent activities at a number of companies active in pelletizing.     

Gala progresses glass-filled nylon pelletizing with low residual moisture

New underwater and strand pelletizing technologies are now available to the compounder. Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on some recent activities at a number of companies active in pelletizing.     

‘Green’ alternative to mixed metal stabilizers

Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on products currently available for protecting plastics against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and heat.     

Rieter develops die face cut and underwater strand pelletizing expertise

New underwater and strand pelletizing technologies are now available to the compounder. Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on some recent activities at a number of companies active in pelletizing.     

Materials handling equipment

Plastics Additives & Compounding reports on some recent introductions and developments in the field of materials handling equipment.     

Twin screw extruders: The latest developments

This month's Plastics Additives & Compounding discusses some of the latest developments in twin screw extrusion technology for the compounding and masterbatch industries.     

NPE 2000 Review

This month Plastics Additives & Compounding reviews some of the equipment on view at the recent NPE 2000 exhibition in Chicago, USA.     

Gravimetric masterbatch feeder improves accuracy

Liad Weighing & Control Systems Ltd. has introduced the ColorSave-1000, a gravimetric masterbatch feeder for injection-moulding machines. Plastics Additives & Compounding looks at this new gravimetric single component feeder, which dispenses the masterbatch directly into the throat of the injection moulding machine.     

Pelletizing

A wide range of pelletizers is available for the compounder to convert the melt from the extruder into an easily handled form. This month Plastics Additives & Compounding takes a look at some of the new developments in pelletizing.     

North American compounders look for global expansion

At the recent NPE exhibition, a number of North American compounders and masterbatchers announced plans for expansion — through organic growth, acquisition or alliances. Increasingly, many of these deals are outside of North America. Plastics Additives & Compounding rounds up a few of these initiatives.     

Health and environmental impact of phthalates

At the recent PVC 2002 conference Dr. David Cadogan of the European Council for Plasticisers and Intermediates outlined the current situation on the health and environmental impact of phthalates. Plastics Additives & Compounding highlights the main points.