TECHNOLOGY | POLYMER FOAM
Schaumaplast takes balanced approach
German particle foam moulder Schaumaplast is offering expanded polystyrene (EPS) packaging pro- duced using BASF’s biomass-bal- anced Styropor MB, which is manufac- tured under a biomass “offset” scheme certified by TÜV SÜD. The move means EPS packaging manufacturers and end users can meet their sustainability goals without losing tried-and-tested technical attributes, according to Bernhard Hauck, Manag- ing Director of Relingen, Germany- based Schaumaplast. One of the first to make use of the biomass-balanced Styropor packaging is German ice cream start-up IceGuerilla.
PHOTO: BASF
bio-naphtha from certified sustainable production can be used instead of fossil resources at the start of the value chain and later allocated to respective sales in a defined way. “At BASF we look at products
EPS foam packaging produced by Schaumaplast using biomass-balanced Sytropor PS
The biomass balance method
incorporates renewable resources into the existing BASF production process. For example, biogas or
tional open cell flexible foams. Open cell polyolefin foams can be produced using a two-step compres- sion moulding process, with the open cell content and tortuosity able to be fine-tuned by adjusting chemical composition and processing, as well as post-processing parameters. Prof Dr Miguel Ángel Rodríguez-Pérez explained
that multifunctional open cell materials can provide a wide variety of key properties, including good sound absorption capabilities where the high open cell content and low tortuosity offer a performance benefit. Their strain-rate dependent behaviour also means they can offer both comfort and impact protection. Finally, open cell polyolefin foams have the potential for dealing with oil spills through their high oil absorption capability combined with adjustable performance and re-usability.
Physical foaming Trexel and GK Concept have launched a new joint venture - 2LIMIT - which combines know-how and intensifies their cooperation in part design and tooling engineering for injection moulded micro- cellular lightweight components based on Trexel’s MuCell physical foaming technology. 2LIMIT will offer full-service engineering, supporting custom- ers from an initial idea right through to a finished MuCell product. The company is offering a range of service packages so that customers can select services to match their requirements. According to Brian Bechard, CEO and President of Trexel, establishing the joint venture provides the oppor- tunity to take engineering for physical foaming to
64 COMPOUNDING WORLD | January 2018
across their full life cycle. Sustainably produced raw materials therefore play a major role for us. Styropor packag- ing also offers the advantage that it is 98% air and fully recyclable – consum- ers can simply dispose of it in their recycling bin,” says Dr Klaus Ries, Vice President Global Business Manage- ment Styrenic Foams at BASF. �
www.schaumaplast.com �
www.basf.com/biomassbalance
an entirely new level. 2LIMIT combines Trexel’s expertise in physical foaming with GK Concept’s know-how in materials, products and product design, and tooling design and manufacture. “Our customers can call on any or all of our five core competences – part design, part redesign, injection moulding simulation, tooling design and engineering and tool procure- ment,” says Roman Hofer, 2LIMIT General Manager. “Alternatively customers can configure their own package of services. Our aim is to ensure that customers can exploit the potential of MuCell technology to the limit.” Roger Kaufmann, CEO of GK Concept, says that it is important not to rely simply on foaming to deliver all the weight savings in a project. Design- ing the part to make the most of the MuCell process can reduce weight by an additional 10-20% and in the very best case, where the changed profile of the part allows it, it is possible to achieve an extra 30% weight reduction. Overall, achieving 30-40% lighter components is possible.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.reedyintl.com �
www.sabic.com �
www.clariant.com �
www.dow.com �
www.arkema.com �
www.cabotcorp.com �
www.cellmattechnologies.com �
www.trexel.com �
www.gkconcept.de
www.compoundingworld.com
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