NEWS Luxus applies artificial intelligence
UK-based technical and recycled compounder Luxus is applying artificial intelligence (AI) software at its plant at Louth as part of a project designed to improve efficiency and reduce waste. The project is a collaboration with the UK’s Technology Research Centre (TRC) and received grant funding under the UK Circular Plastics Flagship Projects competition. It aims to increase the proportion of lower grade recycled plastic used by 12.5% and reduce additive usage and generation of waste materials through improved accuracy in production specifications. A key element of the software — called LARA — is to bring together
AI technology is being applied at compounder Luxus
complex datasets from the past 10 years of operation at Luxus to improve development of bespoke recipes for polymer blends. The goal is to signifi- cantly cut down the amount of test blends required. “We are very excited by the huge potential of this project and the knowl- edge we have been able to gain about the positive impact of adopting AI, along with machine learning, to more accurately and quickly predict the outcome of many variable inputs,” said Luxus Managing Director Peter Atterby. �
www.luxus.co.uk
Geon lifts PVC capacity in US
GEON Performance Solutions has started up a line for production of flexible PVC wire and cable compounds at its facility at Dyersburg, Tennessee, US. The Dyersburg plant
previously carried out contract tolling services and production of PP com- pounds for the automotive industry and was idled for an extended period due to
the impact of the pandemic on automotive demand. The company said the
expansion of PVC com- pounding will allow the site to diversify and mitigate the impact of future market slowdowns. It said it also plans to convert one of its existing lines to PVC compounding before the end of the year. Together, the line investments will add
nearly 55,000 tonnes/year of capacity. “This capital investment in capacity and technology will expand our innovation capabilities across our PVC, polypropylene and plasti- ciser businesses and provide us the ability to grow with best-in-class assets,” said Tracy Garrison, Chief Executive Officer of GEON. �
www.geon.com
Change at the top at Coperion
Ulrich Bartel was promoted to the post of President of Coperion in June. He succeeds Kimberly K Ryan, who has moved to become Executive Vice President of parent company Hillenbrand. Bartel joined Coperion in 1990 and has held multiple global positions. Since 2014, he has headed the Polymer division, which incorpo- rates all product areas related to plastics. Markus Parzer, who has headed the Extrusion
Systems business unit from 2015 to 2020 and since then has lead the Polyolefins business unit, has been promoted to Bartel’s former role. �
www.coperion.com
10 COMPOUNDING WORLD | August 2021
Above: Coperion’s new management team of Ulrich Bartel (left) and Markus Parzer
IN BRIEF...
Lanxess is increasing prices for inorganic pigments globally with immediate effect. Prices will rise by a minimum of €150 per tonne, or its equivalent in local curren- cies, to cover higher raw material, energy, and freight costs.
www.lanxess.com
Russian automotive giant GAZ has commenced series production of its Gazelle NN commercial vehicle, which uses a splashboard body panel injection moulded in a carbon nanotube PA6 conductive compound developed by R&P Polyplastic. It claims the part is the first commercial application of plastics in a body part by a Russian vehicle maker. It said it is electrostatic-painted and is less costly than a steel pressing.
www.polyplastic-compounds.ru
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: LUXUS
IMAGE: COPERION
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