Around the Web...

Eastman Chemical Company has launched a new site,  Medical Technical Center, organized to allow medical OEMs, processors, and designers to access comprehensive product and processing information critical to the success of their application. The new site includes material maps comparing Eastman polymers to other clear polymers typically used in the medical market. The information is organized to allow users to narrow their search of Eastman polymers based on material performance and processing parameters, including how a material withstands secondary operations such as joining, sterilization, and thermoforming techniques. Processing guidelines provide tips on how to produce high-quality parts from Eastman polymers

Purging Pointer of the Month...

Here’s the next in a series of technical tips that Novachem, a leading supplier of purging compounds, is supplying readers of this newsletter: At the end of a shutdown purge, run the system empty before you cut the heats and go home…as opposed to leaving the barrel full of purging compound. Why? Because it won’t hurt anything--the metal surfaces inside the machine will still be coated by a layer of purging material--and you’ll save time at startup since you won’t need to bring a full barrel of material up to temperature.

Resin Buying Pointer of the Month…

Buy as needed: no more, no less! That’s the first of regular resin buying pointers this newsletter is supplying its subscribers courtesy of Resin Technology Inc. The resin-buying consultants also advise processors to pay close attention this month to the news surrounding the general economy. Where are we headed? Which is more powerful, rising costs and geopolitical uncertainty, or economic recession and over supply of inventories along the supply chain? Also ask your supplier about their inventory.

Composites Conference Slated

CompositesWorld, publisher of High-Performance Composites and Composites Technology magazines, wants you to know that there is still time to register for its Composites Industry Investment Forum, which will be held Feb. 21-22, 2008, at The Roosevelt Hotel in New York. This international conference is designed for executives from leading composite industry suppliers, industry analysts, investment bankers, and industry end users to discuss opportunities for composite materials in projected high-growth markets, such as commercial aircraft and renewable energy applications, like wind blades. Full conference and registration details are available here. These publications are sister publications to Plastics Technology.

Upcoming Conferences for Molders, Moldmakers

Executive Conference Management is still accepting registrations for Molding '08, to be held Feb 18-20 at the Hilton Financial District in San Francisco. The three-day event features more than 20 presenters discussing the latest technological development in injection molding.

Meanwhile, registration is open for the ninth annual MoldMaking Expo & Conference. Early registration discounts, including free exhibit hall passes, are available until March 22nd. MoldMaking Expo 2008 will take place April 23-24  at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, MI and will once again feature the latest in mold manufacturing product and process technology. To register or to learn more about how attending MoldMaking Expo can help your business, visit www.moldmakingexpo.com

Injection, Extrusion Slip to Kick Off ‘08...

Both the injection and extrusion business declined last month compared to the previous month, but the economist who prepares these reports exclusively for Plastics Technology remains confident that business in both sectors will pick up soon. The Injection Molding Business Index slipped 11% in the latest month when compared with a year ago. This followed a 2% decline during the previous month. Economist Bill Wood had predicted the year would start slowly for processors, but is sticking to his guns that business would increase as manufacturing picks up steam in the second half of the year. The Extrusion Business Index, meanwhile, slipped 5% last month, but here again Wood is forecasting a turnaround beginning in Q3.

February Cover Story: What’s Ahead in Biopolymers

In a word, more, as in more suppliers and grades. Properties figure to be boosted as well. In researching this month’s cover story, Senior Editor Jan Schut was struck by the scary sense of urgency in the voices of executives of large chemical companies, even those that belong to oil companies. Oil is running out, they said, and faster than you think. The fast-developing populations of China and India will put a strain on the world’s oil resources. Biotech and agri-chemistry are the way forward. Here is her report.

New Technology Spotlight:

• Compression molding PET challenges in preforms
  
• New robot for small presses
  
• Hot runners aim at small, cosmetic parts
  

Mark your calendar...

Novi MI - Rock Financial Showplace
April 23 -24 2008
www.moldmakingexpo.com