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K 2016 Show Preview

| By Gerald Ondrey

kmd1602_ak02_cmyk02_100mmSome 3,100 exhibitors from almost 60 nations will be showing their products and services on more than 170,000 m2 of net exhibition space during K 2016 (Düsseldorf, Germany; October 19–26) — the international trade fair for plastics and rubber. “Nowhere in the world can one experience the full breadth of raw materials, processing and application equipment as completely as at K in Düsseldorf,” says Werner Dornscheidt, president and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, the show’s organizer (www.k-online.com).

As always, K 2016 will occupy all the exhibition space at Messe Düsseldorf, with products and services filling all of the venue’s 19 halls. All of the industry’s core business areas are present, including machines and equipment, raw materials and auxiliaries, semi-finished products, technical parts and reinforced plastics, and services.

A small sample of products and services on display during K 2016 is presented below.

 

A new approach to plant planning

Zeppelin Systems

Zeppelin Systems

Nowadays, billion-euro investment decisions in the plastics production and processing industry are made in a very short time. According to this company’s managing director, Rochus Hofmann, the time between an investment decision and commissioning is less than half of what it was a few years ago. These challenges can only be met with better and faster planning. At K 2016, this company is demonstrating its new approach to planning and designing plants for the plastics industry. While a traditional machine construction company focuses on the machine, a plant engineering company’s planning will keep the total plant in mind, using various planning tools. One of them is the Zeppelin Value Engineering concept, which enables extensive discussions and the optimization of the plant concept in digital form at a very early stage. This leads to better concept solutions such as optimized piping, improved room layout or perfect positioning of all components, and shorter distances. This company’s planning software supports this process (photo). In the future, focus will be set on innovatively developing the planning process, for example by further improving digitalization — not only when planning, but also with the use of components that can communicate in a digital network. Therefore, this company focuses its component development on a new product segment named “smart components” and will also present new ideas regarding Industry 4.0. Hall 9, Booth B41 — Zeppelin Systems GmbH, Friedrichshafen, Germany

www.zeppelin-systems.com

 

High-tech microgranules for brilliant colors

Lanxess

Lanxess

This company’s Rhein Chemie Additives business unit is showcasing its organic Macrolex Gran colorants (photo) for the brilliant coloring of amorphous and semicrystalline plastics. Thanks to their microgranule form, the colorants compare extremely favorably with powders and compact granules owing to their excellent dispersion and processing properties and safe handling, says the manufacturer. Macrolex microgranules consist of hollow spheres that can be very easily crushed, which means they can be quickly, evenly and completely distributed and incorporated into the plastic. The excellent processability of the product is due to the fact that the hollow spheres comprise particularly small primary particles of around 2–10µm, depending on the color. The good free-flowing properties of the 0.3-mm spheres make precise metering easier and prevent clumping in the mixing process. The four-times higher bulk density compared with powder pays dividends in processing, transport and storage alike. Hall 6, Stand C78 — Lanxess AG, Cologne, Germany

www.lanxess.com

 

Precise metering of blowing agents and additives

LEWA

LEWA

When manufacturing insulation panels, packaging foils or molded parts, blowing agents must be metered into the plastic melt under high pressure and extreme temperatures in order to achieve a high-quality result. The Ecofoam system (photo) is a new complete solution that includes pump, measuring and control technology that delivers precision and minimized downtime. It pumps the blowing agents (such as CO 2, propane, butane, halogenated hydrocarbon and pentane) in quantities proportional to the speed of the extruder, thereby guaranteeing precise metering, even when pressures are fluctuating. For liquids that naturally display a wax-like consistency, this company has also developed heatable systems that are designed for temperatures of up to 130°C and pressures of up to 500 bars. These metering systems are suitable for a large variety of additives, including flame retardants, lubricants and static inhibitors, as well as plasticizers. Hall 7a, Stand B26 — LEWA GmbH, Leonberg, Germany

www.lewa.de

 

 

 

More sustainable additives, pigments, colorants and more

This company is said to be the first producer of quinacridone pigments based on bio-based succinic acid. PV Fast Pink E/E01 offers bright colors for everyday products from toys to food packaging and textiles, with durability comparable to petrochemical equivalents. The use of bio-succinic acid reduces the company’s carbon footprint by up to 90% compared to petrochemical-based products. Other innovations being exhibited at K 2016 include: The new Polysynthren Black H infra-red (IR) transparent polymer-soluble dye, which enables easy sorting of black-colored articles during the recycling process; colorant solutions based on the unique pigment PV Fast Yellow H4G, to replace lead chromates; the new Licocene PE 3101 TP nucleating agent for expanded polystyrene (EPS) applications; and more. Hall 8a, Stand J11 — Clariant AG, Muttenz, Switzerland

www.clariant.com

 

Thinner, stable films reduce consumption of raw materials

SABIC Holding Europe.

SABIC Holding Europe.

This company’s multilayer and polymer blend technology for flexible packaging (photo) can help manufacturers to reduce transport losses, optimize protection of goods, maximize pallet stability by increasing holding force of collation shrink and stretch films used to protect food packaging, making them stronger. They may help reduce the environmental impact of packaging by enabling down-gauging while improving the holding force. Manufacturers may achieve down-gauging options that reduce thicknesses by up to 20% compared to current film concepts. Thinner products reduce plastic consumption and allow for higher processing speeds. The company’s LDPE (low-density polyethylene) film grade is a new product for manufacturing very thin-gauge packaging. It offers excellent draw-down ability, running stable at a film thickness as low as 12 μm, using less raw material and enabling higher production line speed, says the company. Hall 6, Stand D42 — SABIC Holding Europe B.V., Sittard, the Netherlands

www.sabic.com

 

Conductive silicone rubber dispersion for the cable industry

Wacker Chemie

Wacker Chemie

Powersil 403 silicone rubber dispersion (photo) is an electrically conductive dispersion developed for manufacturing the outer conductive film on cable accessories for transmission and distribution cables. The two-component formulation contains addition-curing silicone rubber, which adheres well to the insulating silicone substrate while forming a flexible film. Elongation at break is roughly 650% for this formulation, and its tear strength is 20 N/mm. This means that a conductive film made from Powersil 403 can withstand extreme elongation, without cracking. The low-viscosity liquid contains no toluene, and can be easily applied by spraying, dipping or brushing. Its electrical properties also make the dispersion suitable for use in antistatic coatings for textiles. Hall 6, Stand A10 — Wacker Chemie AG, Munich, Germany

www.wacker.com

 

 

 

 

A large volume processor for highly viscous products

Buss-SMS-Canzler

Buss-SMS-Canzler

The Large Volume Processor (photo) consists of horizontally arranged, heated reactors with either co- or counter-rotating shafts that provide intensive mixing and kneading for effective polymerization and devolatilization of products with viscosities up to 15,000 Pa.s. These highly versatile processors are characterized by large process volumes and self-cleaning. They allow for the efficient treatment of difficult-to-handle products or materials undergoing phase changes. They permit the economic realization of long residence times, and combine various process steps into a single unit. Hall 12, Stand A51 — Buss-SMS-Canzler GmbH, Pratteln, Switzerland

www.sms-vt.com

 

A new proprietary process toimprove fuel economy of tires

At K 2016, this company is introducing a newly developed technology for the production of functionalized solution rubbers. The application of this new technology to both styrene butadiene rubber (S-SBR) and functionalized butadiene rubber — in particular neodymium-catalyzed butadiene rubber (Nd-BR) — increases the interaction with fillers, helping to improve the dynamic properties of tire tread compounds. As the filler becomes more easily dispersed into the compound, a more elastic network is built up. This reduces the rolling resistance and thus improves the fuel economy of the tire. In some cases, traction properties can also be enhanced. The new functionalized solution rubbers offer immediate benefits to the tire industry. However, in the longer term, they can be adopted for use in other applications where excellent dynamic properties are required, for example in conveyor belting and anti-vibration applications. Hall 6, Stand C78 —Arlanxeo Deutschland GmbH, Dormagen, Germany

www.arlanxeo.com

 

Innovative and sustainable materials developed here

Having developed components for the Solar Impulse solar-powered aircraft mission, such as an ultra-lightweight and thermal-insulating polyurethane (PU) foam that lends the cockpit its required strength while protecting the pilots from temperature extremes, this company has also used the Solar Impulse aircraft as a flying laboratory for further developing materials and making them suitable for completely different applications. The above-mentioned rigid PU foam will be used in the future as high-efficiency insulation in refrigeration systems, where it reduces energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The company also recently opened a new production plant at its Dormagen site for CO2 -based polyether polyols, which will be used to manufacture flexible PU foam for mattresses and upholstered furniture. Hall 6, Stand 75A — Covestro AG, Leverkusen, Germany

www.covestro.com

 

Efficient and flexible underwater pelletizing systems

Maag

Maag

This company is showcasing a new underwater pelletizing system (photo) that is a result of the synergies that have been created through the integration of the recently acquired Gala underwater pelletizing and RE Scheer strand pelletizing and pulverizing system product portfolios. The end result is an underwater pelletizing system that successfully combines the know-how of multiple industry leaders in a design that promises to set a new standard for the pellet-processing industry, says the company. The system has been designed to be a one-stop solution for its users as all of the components, from the tip of the extruder screw to the finished plastic pellets. That includes the melt pumps, screen changers, diverter valves, die plates, cutting chambers, water bath, strand dies, cutter systems, interlocking systems, cutter hubs, system controls, cutting tools, support frame and any other required equipment. Hall 9, Stand A4 — Maag, a Dover company, Oberglatt, Switzerland

www.maag.com

 

 

The next generation in chemical-free moisture analysis

Arizona Instrument

Arizona Instrument

The Computrac Vapor Pro XL (VPXL; photo) is said to be the latest in a long line of accurate, reliable and easy to use moisture analyzers. The VPXL is a chemical free, moisture-specific alternative to Karl Fischer titration. It features an upgraded heater, which increases the upper limit for testing temperatures to 300°C and allows for improved control over testing temperatures. The VPXL is also compatible with multiple sizes of sample vials and is equipped with stepped temperature testing capabilities for enhanced method development. The brand new touch screen and intuitive user interface makes the Vapor Pro XL the most user-friendly Computrac yet. The Vapor Pro XL is can be used in accordance with ASTM D7191-10 and ASTM D7546-15 standard methods, and also correlates well with many popular methods. Hall 13, Stand B91-13 — Arizona Instrument LLC, Chandler, Ariz.

www.azic.com

 

Continuous drying in minutes instead of hours

Kreyenborg Plant Technology

Kreyenborg Plant Technology

The Infrared Rotary Dryer (IRD; photo) is used for crystallizing and drying virgin or regrind materials for a wide range of plastics. Through the use of the continuously functioning IRD, the need for energy-intensive processing using dry air is completely eliminated, easily resulting in energy savings of an average of 30%, says the company. Raw material is heated directly and gently with IR light, which diverts the vaporizing moisture from the core of the material toward the outside. Clumping is eliminated as the material is conveyed through the machine, and the slow rotation of the drum leads to even heating while avoiding abrasion and breaking of the product, thereby reducing dust formation. Retrofitting of the IRD into existing plants can significantly increase plant throughput and product quality, says the company. Hall 9, Stand A55 — Kreyenborg Plant Technology GmbH & Co. KG, Senden, Germany

www.kreyenborg.com

 

Longer service life for concrete buildings

AGRU Kunststofftechnik

AGRU Kunststofftechnik

This company’s concrete protection liners (photo) are made of chemically stable plastics and firmly seal the surfaces of concrete buildings and structures, protecting them against corrosion. The wide range of available materials (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene difluoride and ethylene chlorotrifluoroethylene) allows solutions for every requirement, from wastewater treatment up to potable water tanks. These concrete protective liners are said to be simple to assemble and easy to weld, and are designed for a long service life and high operational reliability. Hall 5, Stand 5C02— AGRU Kunststofftechnik GmbH, Bad Hall, Austria

www.agru.at

 

High-performance polymers through solution viscometry

The performance of polymers is mainly determined by the chain length and degree of polymerization. Solution viscometry reliably provides knowledge of these parameters and enables predictions to be made about mechanical properties. This company is presenting the modular options of automatic viscosity. The Duo.Visc, with two independent thermo-electric heating and cooling systems, is said to guarantee stable and precise measurements on the smallest footprint for kinematic viscosity measurements. Hall 10, Stand B21 — Laude Scientific GmbH, Lauda-Königshofen, Germany

www.lauda-scientific.de