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Robot firm Sepro reports record sales for 2013


French robot maker Sepro Robotique reported its best-ever sales for 2013 – de- livering 1,650 robots and sprue-pickers and posting a year-end result of €66m (up by around 20% on the 2012 result of €55m). Sepro CEO Michel Re- naudeau (pictured) attributed the strong result to a combina- tion of the recovery in the global plastics market, as well as the success of the company’s recent investment strategy. “Over the last five years, we


have invested heavily in the development of new robot technology, expanding our presence in key global markets, and building strong partnerships with automation specialists and injection-


news in brief


❙ Berry Plastics has acquired a 75% interest in Chinese rigid plastic packaging and personal care products manufacturer Qingdao P&B. The company is located in the Qingdao free trade zone in China’s Shangdong province north of Shanghai. www.berryplastics.com


moulding machine manufac- turers,” said Renaudeau. “Our product line is almost


completely new in the last three years and now includes new 3-, 5- and 6-axis robots as well as specialty robots for in-mould labelling, two-mate- rial moulding and three-plate


moulds,” he said. Since 2008, Sepro has


doubled its sales outside of Europe; North America now accounts for 20% of the company’s global sales and Latin America 10%, Renaudeau said. ❙ www.sepro-robotique.com


New firm targets micro-parts


3D Microprint is a new company set up by German additive building technology firm EOS and laser microma- chining specialist 3D-Mi- cromac, also of Germany, to target the market for additive-


built micro-parts. The company has been set


up in new premises on the Chemnitz Smart Systems Campus, where it is operating the first MLS (Micro Laser Sintering) production system.


This can produce parts with layer thicknesses down to five microns.


“Demand for very small parts which are difficult to manufacture using conven- tional processes is rising tremendously. Micro Laser Sintering provides solutions for three major trends: individualisation, functional integration, and miniaturisa- tion,” says EOS founder and CEO Dr Hans J Langer. The first MLS system is designed to handle metal powders, which can be used to manufacture components or inserts for moulds. ❙ www.3dmicroprint.com


www.injectionworld.com


❙ A Schulman has bought Prime Colorants, a manufac- turer of colour and additive masterbatch located in Franklin, Tennessee, US, for $15.1m. Prime supplies customers in the automotive and construction industries and generates sales of around $12m. Schulman president and CEO Joseph Gingo said the purchase is part of its ongoing strategy of focusing on niche products. www.aschulman.com


❙ The European Food Safety Authourity (EFSA) has launched a consultation on its recently published draft opinion (http://bit.ly/KQ5o52) on the potential health risks of bis-phenol A (BPA). The deadline for submis- sions is 13 March 2014. Comments on the draft document can be filed here http://bit.ly/1bmoJlk


❙ Hexpol TPE group member Müller Kunststoffe is expanding production at its plant at Lichtenfels in Germany with the installation of an additional line. The investment will lift annual capacity by 4,800 tonnes to 65,000 tonnes, the company said. www.hexpoltpe.com


January/February 2014 | INJECTION WORLD 5


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