news
PlastiComp unveils new laboratory for LFT R&D
US-based PlastiComp, which specialises in long-fibre thermoplastic (LFT) materials and technologies, has recently completed a capital improve- ment project at its manufac- turing and corporate head- quarters facility at Winona, Minnesota, moving its R&D functions into a dedicated laboratory space.
The ‘Da Vinci R&D Lab’, as it has been dubbed, will provide an isolated environ- ment for PlastiComp’s smaller long-fibre composite pellet pultrusion line and auxiliary equipment for conducting evaluations of new raw material feedstocks and processing enhancements. “Our many industry
partners really like the plant-within-a-plant concept the new lab offers because it provides a secure environment for our Technical Development Centre activities in which we can conduct confidential trials
Laser welding partnership
Americhem has announced a collaboration with laser welding specialist LPKF Laser & Electronics to supply a full materials and equipment solution. Laser welding requires a
separate from our primary production operations,” said Eric Wollan, Vice-President of Technology and Business Development. “Plus, it has opened up valuable floor space for future expansion that will allow PlastiComp to quickly add more composite pellet pultrusion lines as our business continues to grow.” The firm’s Complet range of composite pellet products
incorporate long glass, carbon and speciality fibres into polymers ranging from PP to PEEK. These are formed into finished components via injection moulding or profile extrusion processing methods. Applications include transpor- tation, aerospace, defence, sports goods, industrial equipment and consumer goods. ❙
www.plasticomp.com
transmissive upper plastic component and an absorb- ing lower part, allowing the laser light to pass through the top part to heat the material at the interface. The lower layer is often based on highly absorptive pigments such as carbon black. The technology is gaining use in the automo- tive, medical and consumer products industries. Within the new partner- ship, LPKF supplies the production equipment and process solutions; Amer- ichem provides colouring technology for the upper and lower material layers. ❙
www.americhem.com ❙
www.lpkf.com
Star Plastics opens second plant in China
Star Plastics, a privately-owned US compounder of engineering grade thermoplastics, has opened a second plant in China to address growing demand from the local market. Based in Shandong province south of Beijing, Star Plastics Shandong (SPS) complements the company’s existing operation in Shanghai. Combined, the two locations employ about 50 people. The new SPS site covers 7,000m2
of
production space and includes a full-ser- vice lab. A 68mm Nanjing Giant twin-screw compounding line is in operation for
6 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2016
start-up and space is available for nine more compounding lines if future demand growth warrants. Star Plastics said that it “facilitates the company’s role as a global supplier to the growing demands of the plastics market, and allows continuous improvements in service to its customers”. SPS will make the company’s
StarPrime brand materials in polymers including PC, PC/ABS, ABS, PC/PBT, PC/ PMMA, PC/ABS/PMMA, PC/ASA, ABS/ PMMA, ABS/PBT, PPO and HIPS with fillers such as glass fibre, steel fibre, carbon fibre, minerals and flame retard-
ants. The new facility will also make the company’s EcoTech Polymers containing post-consumer recycled content. The company said it will be targeting
key end use markets including electrical and electronics, lighting, 3D printing, automotive, medical, lawn and garden, telecoms and safety equipment sectors. Star Plastics offers custom colour com- pounding, tolling and material trading services. It has two sites in the US, located at Ravenswood and Millwood in West Virginia. ❙
www.starplastics.com
www.compoundingworld.com
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