Foam Supplies ad

from an article at RotoWorld®
https://rotoworldmag.com/foam-supplies-ad/

Hainan Huasheng New Material Technology Co. Ltd. chooses to outfit what will be one of China’s largest polycarbonate plants with Maag pumps, pelletizing systems, and screen changers.

OBERGLATT, SWITZERLAND — PRNewswire – Maag, part of Dover (NYSE: DOV), and a leading worldwide manufacturer of gear pumps, pelletizing, and filtration systems, is pleased and proud to announce it has finalized a contract with Hainan Huasheng New Material Technology Co. Ltd. to supply pumps, pelletizing systems, and screen changers for its new polycarbonate-production facility.

When completed in 2020, the facility will be capable of producing up to 260 kilotons per annum (573 million pounds per year) of polycarbonate, which is used worldwide as a base compound in the manufacture of electronic, automotive, aircraft, railway and security components, construction materials, and data-storage devices. This new plant will be located in the Hainan Dongfang Industrial Park in Hainan Province in Southern China.

Maag was chosen by Hainan Huasheng to outfit its new production facility because since the 1980s, Maag has built a reputation as a provider of dependable, durable, safe, and efficient equipment and systems that are used in the production of polycarbonate. In fact, today upwards of 90% of the globally produced polycarbonate is done so with the assistance of Maag equipment.

Maag gear pumps are ideal for use in polycarbonate manufacturing because they possess the operational reliability that is required in 24/7 production cycles. Maag pumps are available in an extensive range of materials of construction, which allows them to be configured to meet the user’s unique operational requirements. Product quality is guaranteed through the pump’s stable discharge rates and low tolerance deviations, which result in overall process stability.

Maag has been a world leader in developing and supplying pelletizing systems to the polycarbonate market for many years, and currently has more than 200 production lines in operation, some of which feature a pelletizing system that can produce up to 14 tons (28,000 pounds) of polycarbonate per hour. The performance and reputation of Maag Automatik’s pelletizing systems are also strengthened by their symmetry with the Gala and Scheer pelletizing brands, which have also been market leaders for many decades.

Designed for use in upstream and downstream extrusion and filtration processes, Maag is the only manufacturer to offer archtype screen changers that are available as standard equipment on pressure-adaptive sealing systems. This capability ensures that the screen changeover can be completed without any costly interruption in production schedules.

For more information on Maag’s complete portfolio of pumps, pelletizing systems, and screen changers, or any of its other products, please visit maag.com.

For further information, go to www.maag.com

from an article at RotoWorld®
https://rotoworldmag.com/hainan-huasheng-new-material-technology-co-ltd-chooses-to-outfit-what-will-be-one-of-chinas-largest-polycarbonate-plants-with-maag-pumps-pelletizing-systems-and-screen-changers/

Meese Opens 5th US Plant in Florida

MADISON, IN, USA — Meese (formerly MODRoto), opened a new plant in Jacksonville, Florida in June of this year. This 50,000 square foot plant is the fifth US plant for Meese and is located conveniently and strategically between I-95 and I-10. “The addition of the Jacksonville plant means we can reduce shipping costs for our Southeast customers while staying better connected to all of our customers throughout the US,” says Dan Rodriguez, national sales manager. Meese also launched their new website at www.meese-inc.com in July and will soon add e-commerce capabilities.

The company’s name change to Meese, made effective on May 7, 2018 is a “nod to our company’s heritage and is just the beginning in our company’s plan for future growth,” says J.R. Ryan, the President of Meese.

Founded in 1931, Meese was the first rotomolder in North America to invest in fully automated rotational molding systems, adding two “Leonardo” machines in 2008. These rotomolding machines produce parts more efficiently with less waste, combined with the ability to control extremely tight tolerances, thereby producing more consistent parts than traditional rotomolding machines.

Meese’s line of quality Poly-Trux, Bulk-Trux, Shelf-Trux, Utility-Trux, and Tilt-Trux are built to serve specific hauling, transportation and storage needs of customers in a variety of industries such as laundry, recycling, and materials handling. Their newest line of innovative products include the Linen Locker, created for secure and safe indoor/outdoor collection of bulk items, as well as FDA-approved X-Ray metal detectable containers for safer use in the food manufacturing industry along with the “Pool Shot” line of recreational products.

Additionally, Meese has certification for both EPA and CARB fuel tanks and their in-house award winning Engineering and Design team can create custom designed products to accommodate any need.

To learn more about this announcement, please contact Dan Rodriguez, National Sales Manager, Meese, Office: (812) 801-9969 drodriguez@meese-inc.com, www.meese-inc.com

from an article at RotoWorld®
https://rotoworldmag.com/meese-opens-5th-us-plant-in-florida/

SPE – Actec

Plastics and SPE Continue Partnership to Provide Free SPE Membership to Students

Offering access to resources and networking through membership options for the next generation of plastics professionals.

WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — As the result of the success of their student program partnership — which has assisted over 2,000 students in their pursuit of a career in plastics since 2015 — the Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) and SPE, inspiring Plastics Professionals, recently announced they will continue the partnership for an additional year through September 2019.

Since 2015, the program has provided college-level students free membership in SPE, while also enabling access to the resources and the professional network represented by PLASTICS. Participating students also have the opportunity to join PLASTICS Future Leaders in Plastic (FLiP), a group which provides young professionals in the plastics industry the exposure, education, networking contacts, and resources they need to advance in their careers.

“With the continuation of this program we are excited to provide assistance — from talent recruitment to educational outreach — to even more students from around the world as they pursue a career in plastics,” said President & CEO of PLASTICS, William R. Carteaux. “It’s up to us as seasoned professionals in the industry to nurture future leaders in plastics by providing them the resources and educational opportunities they need to succeed.”

Under PLASTICS and SPE’s agreement, students looking to become an SPE student member will have the option to do so for free. By offsetting the cost of membership, both PLASTICS and SPE hope to make it easier for students to take advantage of each organization’s respective educational and networking opportunities, while expanding opportunities for plastics students and young professionals.

“SPE is pleased to continue this partnership with PLASTICS,” said SPE CEO Patrick Farrey. “We all recognize the importance of building a strong future workforce. Through this program, students will have access to personal and professional resources that they couldn’t get elsewhere. They will be presented opportunities to strengthen their technical skills and learn how to lead. Together we are committed to the development of tomorrow’s plastic professionals.”

For more information, please visit www.4spe.org.

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SPE Launches Interactive Exhibitor Directory as the First of Many New Features at ANTEC® 2019

Offering access to resources and networking through membership options for the next generation of plastics professionals.

BETHEL, CT, USA — With only eight months leading up to ANTEC® 2019 in Detroit, SPE-Inspiring Plastics Professionals (Society of Plastics Engineers) debuted a new online exhibitor directory and floor plan that benefits both exhibitors and attendees.

The directory offers extensive eBooth listings, increased visibility, and networking opportunities to optimize exhibitor and attendee’s times during ANTEC®. Attendees are able to view real-time updates of the event map and are able to search for products and services by category. Additionally, attendees can create their own personalized expo plan of booths to visit and schedule appointments with exhibitors well before the conference. This feature is the first user-experience update to be revealed about the upcoming technical conference.

Stephanie Clark, senior director, sales & advertising, stated, “I am excited to offer our exhibitors another platform to advertise their products and services and enable the attendees to create an Expo Plan before ANTEC®.”

SPE is excited to announce that the following companies have already signed up to exhibit, including Bruker Optics, Brabender Technologie, Coperion Corporation, Crafts Technology, ECON Inc., Enercon Industries, Moldex3D, NFM Welding Engineers, Inc., Parkinson Technologies, TA Instruments, Technovel Corporation, and Thermo Fisher Scientific.

Earlier in the year, SPE unpackaged its new brand identity during ANTEC® Orlando at NPE, introducing a new mission and website to reflect the changing environment of the plastics industry and on the diversity of its members. In addition to these internal changes, SPE is offering licensed training courses by the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) at discounted pricing for members.

The ANTEC® Detroit exhibit hall will also include break areas and receptions to increase networking opportunities among peers. The new ANTEC® Detroit Exhibitor Directory and Floor Plan is now online.

If your company is interested in exhibiting or sponsoring at ANTEC® Detroit, please contact Stephanie Clark at sclark@4spe. org or +1 203.740.5411.

from an article at RotoWorld®
https://rotoworldmag.com/spe-actec/

Total JV to Build 625,000 tn Polyethylene Plant in Texas

A joint venture between French oil and gas firm Total S.A. and Novealis Holdings LLC, Bayport Polymers LLC, is investing in the construction of a new polyethylene plant at the company’s site in Bayport, TX that will feature an annual capacity of 625,000 tn, Total announced recently.

Novealis is a joint venture launched by Borealis AG and NOVA Chemicals. Slated to start up in 2021, the new facility will double the Bayport location’s current capacity to a total of 1.1 mt/yr, according to Total. Houston, TX-based McDermott was awarded a contract for the engineering, procurement, and construction of the new polyethylene plant.

“This project is in line with our strategy to develop petrochemicals at our major integrated complexes and leverage competitively priced feedstocks,” Bernard Pinatel, president of Refining and Chemicals at Total, said in the release. “It’s another step to strengthen our position in the United States, where we have more than 5000 employees and where we operate one of our six world largest integrated platforms in Port Arthur, TX.”

Bayport Polymers is also in the process of building a 1 million tn steam cracker at its Port Arthur complex, where ethane will be processed to supply the polyethylene production facilities. The new plant will feature Borstar technology, enabling the firm to produce a wider variety of products. “The power of this partnership between Total, Borealis, and NOVA Chemicals will enable us to become one of the largest players in the North America polyethylene market,” Bayport Polymers President Diane Chamberlain said in a statement: “The Borstar technology, which will be used for the first time in North America, will allow us to better serve our customers with an increased range of high-value-added products.”

Upon completion, the new facility in Bayport is expected to have a headcount of 1750 workers during peak periods.

from an article at RotoWorld®
https://rotoworldmag.com/total-jv-to-build-625000-tn-polyethylene-plant-in-texas/

Go all in!

Aside from their day-to-day concerns, such as paying the bills or providing for their family’s needs, if you were to poll people today, regardless of the region in the world they reside, the vast majority will tell you that they care about sustainability. They want to do their part and expect businesses to provide goods that are well designed, affordable, and made in a manner that has the least impact on the environment. Unfortunately, many businesses today have been reluctant to fully embrace these priorities. Welcome to this Rotoworld® issue’s sustainability column where I’ll speak to commitment/goalsetting and how it can positively transform your corporate culture.

Sometimes to achieve a goal it’s easier to make bold statements and to aim high than it is to make half-hearted compromises. Saying that you’re 100% committed means you are motivated and provides the opportunity to engage all of your staff and seek their input to achieve that goal. Alternatively, if you establish a lessor value, like 90%, you will discover a lot of people will find a reason to be in the remaining 10% group! When our company began our journey in sustainability in 2007, we committed to shift 100% of our facility’s power to only green/renewable sources. We searched out providers and found one company (Bullfrog Power) that also was very active nationally. As a bonus, this provider also helped spread awareness about our achievements and we would regularly see our company listed in full page ads throughout various nationally distributed publications. Fortunately, in the last decade, more providers like Bullfrog have sprouted up and similar offerings are generally available in most industrial regions. Consider looking into this option and use it as a starting point in your sustainability program.

No doubt, by placing a price on carbon you have increased the input cost in your utilities bill but once you’ve signed on board you can begin to search for ways to reduce your power waste. One area to investigate is the lighting in your facility. Generally speaking, lighting in a plant uses between 12%-15% of your power. You can make significant reductions if you look at how you illuminate your facility and darken areas of inactivity based on your operations. Perhaps you run your operations 24 hours, but only do some types of tasks on a dedicated shift. Do you run lights in these areas when no work is being done? What kind of lights do you run in your plant? If you are still using incandescent lights you need to replace them immediately! These types of lights are so outdated and are operating at about 10% efficient (90% is heat generation). During the weekends do you run more lights than you need? Perhaps you can set up some small CFL or LED lights for security of to provide a safe pathway for persons who need to be in the plant when it’s shut down. Most lights also have reflectors that can become dirty over time. You’d be surprised at how much brighter your shop is if you cleaned them on a quarterly basis. Also, dust can collect on the cooling ballasts, which lowers their efficiency and can even present a fire hazard in some cases.

Another low-cost effort is to look at shutdown procedures when you end your workweek. Do you have a specific checklist for the last designated person to leave the facility? Checklists are more important that you might think. Pilots use them (and with good reason!) as well as medical professionals in surgery (did we leave anything in the patient before we closed them up?). Put a checklist together that itemizes a sequence of procedures for shutting down all the critical systems that could draw power unnecessarily. As an example, leaving an air compressor system on for a whole weekend is an obvious mistake, but I can almost guarantee it has happened to you when operators have other things on their minds on a Friday night! Assigning a designated person is also very important and should require a sign off from that individual to enforce accountability and responsibility for that task. Successful companies like Toyota identified problems with shutdowns when they performed energy audits and gained significant savings from their checklists. Remember, the bigger your facility the higher the energy costs when things are unknowingly left on. So, before you start to consider any large capital investments to drive sustainability, I hope I’ve shown simple solutions to engage your team. Good luck!

from an article at RotoWorld®
https://rotoworldmag.com/go-all-in/

RotoWorld(R) Buyers Guide

Coming soon – the All New RotoWorld Buyers’ Guide!

from an article at RotoWorld®
https://rotoworldmag.com/rotoworldr-buyers-guide/