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Sabic Innovative Plastics is offering free on-line seminars this fall as part of its Innovative Plastics Productivity Series. On Sept. 18, the materials supplier is holding a seminar that will explore material and design options as alternatives to metal for cost and weight savings.  A webinar a week later will focus on material and design options for thin wall parts reducing part weight and material consumption. And on Oct. 2, a webinar will offer material substitution options to reduce costs, improve material availability or improve performance. All seminars are one-hour long. View the full slate of on-line seminars and register here.

New Conference Focuses on ‘Auxiliaries’

Plastics Technology is holding a first-of-its kind, two-day conference next month aimed at uncovering the “hidden costs” and productivity enhancements that are possible by more shrewd selection and use of auxiliary equipment. Titled Practical Solutions for Processing Productivity, the event is slated for Oct. 28-29 in Oak Brook, Ill. More than 20 presenters will offer the latest solutions and processing tips in the areas of drying, blending, conveying, automation, reclaim, chilling and more. The program combines technical presentations with intimate, hands-on workshops. Full program details are available here. Please click here for hotel details, and here for registration. Early registration ends Oct. 1. Read Chief Editor Matthew Naitove’s remarks on this conference below.

In early December, meantime, Plastics Technology rolls out its Advances in Extrusion Conference, a two-day event in New Orleans that touches on virtually all types of extrusion. Consult this page for access to all the details.

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Purging Pointer of the Month...

Here's the next in a series of Purging Pointers offered exclusively to
subscribers of this e-newsletter by Novachem, a leading manufacturer of
purging compounds: When purging extrusion blow molding systems having more
than two heads raise the temperatures of the outboard heads somewhat higher
(say 50°F) than the rest of the system. This will compensate for the longer
flow path to these components, especially when chemical purging compounds
are involved.

Resin Buying Pointer of the Month…

The market has begun to see some relief from 18 months of continued price hikes prompting keen buyers to buy one pellet at a time. So say the resin buying experts at RTI. Important signs to watch to ensure you buy just before, or at the bottom are feedstock prices, and inventory levels which have seen gains after 5 consecutive months of reductions.

New: Mold Care Pointer of the Month…

Here's the next in a series of Mold Care Pointers offered exclusively to subscribers of this e-newsletter by Slide Products, a leading manufacturer of mold care products and mold releases: When applying a mold release, start at a distance 8-10 inches from the mold and use a slow, sweeping motion, careful not to over-apply. Over-application will not help the part release any better, and actually cost you in time and materials.

Extrusion Dips, Injection Dips more

Plastics Technology’s exclusive Extrusion Business Index declined 2% last month compared to the month before, reports Plastics Economist Bill Wood. Through the second quarter, the Index was off  5% from ’07, after dipping 9% in the first quarter compared to last year’s first reporting period. Film held steady,  while the sheet (7%) and pipe (4%) markets climbed. These gains offset declines in siding and extrusion coating. Wood predicts the year will be off in extrusion by 3%, but believes the Index will post consistent gains beginning in the first quarter of ’09.

The performance of the Injection Business Index was more disappointing. Wood reported a 12% decline last month, and is now projecting that by year-end injection will be off by 4%. When compared with the previous year, this Index descended by 4% during the second quarter of 2008 after an 8% decline in the first quarter. Demand for molded products has been impacted by an overall slump in the manufacturing economy, but Wood believes that manufacturing will snap out of the doldrums in early ’09, and pull demand for molded products with it.

Looking for Another Way to Compete?

Nearly all your costs of doing business have inflated dramatically. You’re being squeezed by overseas competition. Domestic markets are soft, credit is tight, and your firm’s capital spending has been put on hold. So what can you do to get an edge on the competition? You need something you can implement with existing assets or with new ones that don’t require big investment. Got the answer?

Try this one: Auxiliary Equipment. You know what I mean--all that ‘unglamorous,’ behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps production running: Materials drying, feeding, blending and conveying. Robots, conveyors, and other parts-handling automation. Process cooling. Granulating and scrap reclaiming.

In today’s challenging market conditions, makers of these types of equipment say there’s no better time to discover the no-cost and low-cost opportunities to increase efficiency and productivity from better understanding of how to specify and maintain auxiliaries. “That’s why auxiliary equipment is a management issue, not just a technical concern,” says one supplier. Others note that too many processors are buying used auxiliaries at auctions and “are cobbling lines together from mismatched components. Processors need to know how to specify and select these components for what they want to achieve.” And at least one dryer manufacturer says 80% of users’ problems could be solved with better maintenance.

To help you uncover these “hidden” savings--and also learn about new technologies for materials and parts handling, cooling, and granulating/shredding—Plastics Technology  is putting on what we believe to be the first conference and workshop ever dedicated solely to auxiliary equipment. Workshops will be limited to 10 participants on a first-come/first-served basis. Check out the details here.

September Cover Story

Plastics Pallets Gain Ground

Low-cost wood is still king, but in an eco-conscious world the ability to reuse plastics is a growing attraction among manufacturers looking for sustainable materials handling options. Senior Editor Joe Grande uncovers what’s going on in this report.

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New Technology Spotlight:

• All-electric presses for lenses
• Big-bubble film lines
• Barrier-coated PET for wine and beer
• Why plastic flows better in aluminum molds
• Stiff, tough, clear PP for bottles