A 360-degree look at resin conveying systems: types, operation, economics, design, installation, components and controls.
This Knowledge Center provides an overview of resin moisture and the drying process, including information on the best drying practices for your manufacturing facility. Pvc Resin
Combat the skilled labor shortage using this comprehensive resource to train your own plastics processing experts.
Deep dive into the basics of blending versus dosing, controls, maintenance, process integration and more.
This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.
Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.
Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.
While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.
Despite price increase nominations going into second quarter, it appeared there was potential for generally flat pricing with the exception of a major downward correction for PP.
First quarter was ending up with upward pricing, primarily due to higher feedstock costs and not supply/demand fundamentals.
Despite earlier anticipated rollover in prices for most of the volume commodity resins, prices were generally on the way up for all going into the third month of first quarter.
While price initiatives for PE and PVC were underway, resin prices had rollover potential for first two months of 2024, perhaps with the exception of PET.
Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.
Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.
In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.
In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.
Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.
In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.
Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.
In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.
Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.
Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.
NPE2024: Lowering barriers to additive manufacturing adoption in toolmaking.
Allegheny Performance Plastics turned to 1factory's cloud-based manufacturing quality control software for streamlined, paperless quality systems.
To design the best mixers for single screws, you must completely understand how polymer moves through a mixer channel or groove.
NPE2024: Focus is on additives for plastics including PVC and WPC industries.
At NPE2024, Novatec moves to rewrite the rules for material conveying with patent-pending smart-pump technology.
While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.
With no minimum order and an impeccable record of on-time delivery, Precision Color Compounds is becoming a force in the color masterbatch business.
Thermosets were the prevalent material in the early history of plastics, but were soon overtaken by thermoplastics in injection molding applications.
After a six-year hiatus, this year’s show was a resounding success, with meaningful technologies on display that will help processors run their businesses more efficiently.
Key factors for the progress are innovative materials, advanced automation and precision engineering.
Topping five other entries in voting by fellow molders, the Ultradent team talks about their Hot Shots sweep.
Serendipitous Learning Opportunities at PTXPO Underscore the Value of Being Present.
Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.
Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.
technotrans says climate protection, energy efficiency and customization will be key discussion topics at PTXPO as it displays its protemp flow 6 ultrasonic eco and the teco cs 90t 9.1 TCUs.
Shibaura discusses the upcoming Plastics Technology Expo (PTXPO) March 28-30
Line features a single touchscreen for easy setup and operation.
Oerlikon HRSflow’s T-Flow HRS control has launched with three models that are configurable to multiples of six zones.
NPE2024: Dukane’s new Ultrasonic Thin Wall welding system is well suited for welding applications of PP to PP TD25 painted parts.
Series offers higher output, lower melt temperatures and energy savings.
Noting that geopolitical changes require new corporate strategies, European plastics and rubber machinery trade groups announced that incoming orders fell 22% in 2023.
System tracks, controls and saves everything from material recipes to process parameters, operator activity from logging on to start, to emergency stops and more.
Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.
After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.
Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.
When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.
As self-imposed and government-issued sustainability mandates approach, injection molders reimagine their operations.
August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.
Get your clicking finger in shape and sign up for all that we have in store for you in 2023.
Molding 2023 to take place Aug. 29-30 in Minnesota; Extrusion 2023 slated for Oct. 10-12 in Indiana.
Join this webinar to learn about Conair's patented Conveying with Optimizer system, which utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to overcome resin conveying issues automatically. Conveying with Optimizer uses valves, remote sensors and AI to eliminate conveying challenges that operators face daily throughout the plant. With this new fully-retrofittable solution, interruptions like clogged filters, air leaks, changes in density or distance, moisture changes, and operators making manual adjustments can all be eliminated with Conair's Conveying with Optimizer. Agenda: What exactly is Conveying with Optimizer? What are the benefits of using Conveying with Optimizer? What problems does Conveying with Optimizer overcome? How to upgrade your system
Cooling time is typically the longest step of the molding process. How can you make it more productive? Learn how cooling time can be turned into production time by running two molding processes simultaneously on a single molding machine. For longer cycles, this can mean twice the productivity. In this webinar, you'll learn more about the Shuttle Mold System and how to calculate its potential productivity impacts for your application. Agenda: Learn how the Shuttle Mold System can deliver value to your business See the recent technical updates made to the system Calculate the potential impact on productivity
Discover possible applications in large format printing including layup tools, transport modules, film fixation devices, design components and enclosures. These are used in various industries such as automotive, aerospace, architecture and many others. Agenda: Possible applications in large format printing: layup tools, transport modules, film fixing devices, design components and enclosures. Process reliability and component quality in component production Pros and cons of the technology Sneak peek into current development projects—What will the large format printing of tomorrow look like?
In this webinar, Cold Jet will discuss some of the ways processors use dry ice such as in-machine mold cleaning at operating temperatures, de-flashing or de-burring parts, improving OEE scores, extending mold life, cleaning parts before painting, post-processing 3D printed parts, lowering GHG emissions, and monitoring and reporting the process. Agenda: Cold Jet Overview & Dry Ice 101 Understanding the Process and Fine-Tuning Techniques Case Studies: Applications in Plastics Monitoring the Process Exploring the Importance of Dry Ice Cleaning in an ESG Era
Finding it hard to get technical talent? Experiencing the pain of a knowledgeable, long-term employee's retirement? Learn how plastics processors are training generative AIs on their operations and unlocking the value from their tribal knowledge. Plastics processors are training generative AI models on their operations — from machine manuals to tools, polymers, procedures, maintenance records and engineering projects. Applying generative AI in the right ways can lower plastics processors' costs, improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) and upskill teams. In this webinar, you'll learn how to deploy AI technical assistants to your teams, what works and what doesn't, and how to use AI to build an organization that never loses tribal knowledge and fosters inter-team collaboration. Agenda: What is generative AI and how can its cognitive abilities be applied to plastics? Case study: how an injection molder trained a large language model on manuals and maintenance records to reduce downtime Case study: using generative AI in engineering teams to improve product development Live demonstration of a generative AI deep-trained on plastics knowledge Looking to the future: five predictions for an AI-augmented workforce in plastics
Turnaround time can be as low as 24 hours, although two or three days might be more typical. Rapid prototyping like this is especially useful to quickly identify critical end-use part geometries that will work in the molding process. Key components include material choice, 3D printing technology selected, use of adaptable mold bases for the mold inserts and implementation of appropriate injection molding process conditions. This presentation will review work conducted toward the assessment of a high-stiffness, high-temperature-resistant ceramic modified urethane acrylate for injection molding inserts. Agenda: Guide for 3D-printed injection mold inserts Optimization of digital light processing (DLP) printing Compatibility with various thermoplastics Real-world application success stories
Debuting in 2010, the Parts Cleaning Conference is the leading and most trusted manufacturing and industrial parts cleaning forum focused solely on delivering quality technical information in the specialized field of machined parts cleansing. Providing guidance and training to understand the recognized sets of standards for industrial cleaning, every year the Conference showcases industry experts who present educational sessions on the latest and most pressing topics affecting manufacturing facilities today. Discover all that the 2022 Parts Cleaning Conference has to offer!
Presented by Additive Manufacturing Media, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology, the 3D Printing Workshop at IMTS 2024 is a chance for job shops to learn the emerging possibilities for part production via 3D printing and additive manufacturing. First introduced at IMTS 2014, this workshop has helped hundreds of manufacturing professionals expand their additive capabilities.
Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).
Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.
April brought on an unexpected resin price increase for PE as well as price increases for the four volume resins — ABS, PC, and nylons 6 and 66, which were primarily based on higher feedstock costs versus a surge in demand or supply issues. The April-May time frame saw significant price decreases for PP and less so for PET, while PS and PVC prices remained flat.
Overall, projections for conclusion of the second quarter were for relatively stable prices pretty much across the board for these resins. However, there was the caveat of what is considered a “bullish” forecast for the 2024 hurricane season. The potential for unscheduled production shutdowns and associated transportation issues that could result would change this pricing scenario.
These are the views of purchasing consultants from Resin Technology Inc. (RTi); senior analysts from Houston-based PetroChemWire (PCW); CEO Michael Greenberg of The Plastics Exchange; Scott Newell, executive vice president, polyolefins at distributor/compounder Spartan Polymers; Mike Burns of Plastic Resin Market Advisors; and resin pricing expert Robin Chesshier.
Polyethylene prices moved up 3¢/lb in April, though it does not appear the increase was fully implemented across the market, according to PCW’s Associate Director for PE, PP, and PS David Barry as well as Greenberg, Burns and Chesshier. This, as different results came from the two leading indices —one assessing a 3¢/lb price hike while the other rolled over prices.
Reports Greenberg, “The Plastics Exchange spot PE prices averaged down 1¢/lb in April.” He characterized the domestic market as fairly firm and tightly supplied in May, and ventured the 3¢/lb increase could become fully implemented by month’s end. Meanwhile, PE suppliers were out with a 3¢/lb May increase, though this was not expected to materialize.
Noting the April increase — led by unexpected above-average demand boosted supplier margins and challenged the full return of the January increase — Burns ventured that the continuation of neither feedstock pressure nor production issues, PE stable prices with ample inventory appeared to be the scenario prior to the advent of the annual hurricane season. PCW’s Barry described overall demand as returning to “normal levels” versus prebuying activity, with spot market prices as pretty stable. Resin pricing expert Chesshier ventured the potential for a price reduction in June and uncertainty for July due to active weather forecasts.
Polypropylene prices in May were largely expected to drop by about 2¢/lb, in step with propylene monomer, following the long awaited industry price adjustment in April of a 10¢/lb reduction, with generally ‘stable’ pricing projected for the June-July time frame, according to Barry, Newell and Greenberg. Meanwhile, at least one PP supplier was out with a 3¢/lb margin increase for May, though support was unlikely. These sources concede that PP pricing is likely to continue tracking the monomer.
Both Barry and Newell saw uncertainty in terms of propylene availability and PP demand that, while better than fourth quarter 2023, was generally slower than previous years. A key issue is propylene availability, which they described as still relatively tight with a planned shutdown of one PDH plant scheduled for June. “While PP demand in April was up, it was difficult to discern whether this was due to ‘real demand’ versus prebuying as PP prices dropped. We’ll soon find out,” Newell notes.
Greenberg ventured that monomer and PP pricing was likely to be flat and noted that PP inventories were down a bit by May’s end and that suppliers need to crank up production, as PP plant operating rates have been largely in the mid-70s percentile. Meanwhile, Canada’s Heartland Polymers restarted its PDH unit and is characterized as “aggressive” in selling its PP homopolymer and random copolymer resins, while Formosa brought on a new PP production unit at Point Comfort, Texas.
Polystyrene prices rolled over in May, following April’s trend, and the trend for June-July time frame was for continued flat pricing to possibly lower, according to PCW’s Barry and resin pricing expert Robin Chesshier. This following first quarter prices increases totaling 10¢/lb, driven primarily by benzene prices. Based on market fundamentals while barring any major supply disruption, PS prices could remain relatively stable.
Meanwhile, Trinseo commenced a sale process for its 50% ownership in Americas Styrenics (“AmSty”, The Woodlands, Texas), a joint venture with Chevron Phillips Chemical, which is anticipated to take place by early 2025. There are also industry rumors that Total Energies, which operates a styrene monomer plant in a 50% joint venture with SABIC and a Total PS unit, said to be one of the world’s largest, both in Carvilee, Louisiana, may also be looking to divest of this styrenics business.
PVC prices appeared to be poised for relative stability, following unusual back-to-back increases totaling 6¢/lb through April, according to Paul Pavlov, RTi’s vice president of PP and PVC, and PCW’s Associate Director PVC & Pipe Donna Todd. “Demand is relatively robust — particularly due to infrastructure projects, yet still not as robust as years past,” Pavlov says. He said domestic demand for PVC was up by nearly 10% with exports up 3%. At the same time, he noted that both Shintech and Formosa were bringing on new PVC capacity this summer with improved pricing offers likely to be had.
PET prices in May were poised to drop by 1¢ to 1.5¢/lb based on raw material formulation costs, particularly a drop in paraxylene, according to Mark Kallman, RTi’s vice president of PVC, PET and engineering resins. Kallman ventures that prices would then reverse to March-April levels for most of the third quarter. He characterized resin availability as strong, with competitively priced imports continuing to be a factor despite higher freight costs. “Demand is a bit improved but not robust.”
ABS prices moved up 4¢/lb to 5¢/lb by April, though suppliers had sought 7¢/lb-to-9¢/lb, based on price escalation in key feedstocks such as benzene, according to Kallman. Despite one major supplier seeking a new price hike, Kallman ventured unlikely support for it and that relatively stable pricing would continue through third quarter. He characterized demand as “steady.”
Polycarbonate prices moved up between 3¢/lb-to-5¢/lb by April, despite suppliers seeking increases of 10¢/lb, and forward pricing for third quarter is likely to be relatively stable, according to Kallman. As previously reported, prices dropped 3¢/lb-to-5¢/lb in the January-February time frame. Kallman characterized demand as static with good supply, including well-priced imports. But noted that both SABIC and Trinseo have plans to shutter PC plant production in Europe due to major new capacity brought on by China.
Prices of nylon 6 moved up 7¢/lb-to-9¢/lb in by April, though suppliers sought increases of up to 24¢/lb. This following downward pricing in fourth quarter of last year, according to Kevin Mekaru, RTi’s senior business unit leader, commodity plastics. Based on lower or steady costs of key feedstocks including caprolactum, propylene and benzene, he ventured relatively flat pricing through third quarter.
Prices of nylon 66 moved up 5¢/lb-to-7¢/lb by April, though suppliers sought increases in the double digits, according to Kallman. He characterized the market as steady with lower raw material costs that can well translate to relatively stable pricing for most of third quarter.
Generally, a bottoming-out appears to be the projected pricing trajectory.
How Encina sees its future in the circular economy.
The polystyrene manufacturer finalized its purchase of Eco-Captation, a recycler.
Temporary upward blips don't indicate any sustained movement in the near term.
Coverage of single-use plastics can be both misleading and demoralizing. Here are 10 tips for changing the perception of the plastics industry at your company and in your community.
Implementing a production monitoring system as the foundation of a ‘smart factory’ is about integrating people with new technology as much as it is about integrating machines and computers. Here are tips from a company that has gone through the process.
Plastics processors are finding applications for 3D printing around the plant and across the supply chain. Here are 8 examples to look for at NPE2024.
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