MATERIALS | TECHNOLOGY ELASTOMERS
TPE meets German rules on drinking water hygiene
Teknor Apex has devel- oped a new series of TPEs, which it says meets stringent German stand- ards for drinking water applications. Monprene RG-14000 TPEs have been tested and approved by German labo- ratories for compliance with drinking water hygiene standards. They are certified for cold (23°C) and warm-water (60°C) applications in accordance with Germany’s KTW (Kontakt mit Trinkwasser) guideline for hygienic assessment of organic materials in contact with drinking water. In addition, the materi- als meet the requirements of the DVGW (Deutscher Verein des Gas- und Wasserfaches) technical Standard W270, a test method used to determine the microbial growth on
BEARINGS Bearing materials made with solar energy
Vesconite, a South African producer of polymer bearings, is using solar energy in the production of a range of extruded products. A system of solar panels at the company’s Johannesburg plant supplies of power to its extrusion department – which it uses to make its proprietary Vesconite and Vesconite Hilube wear-resistant self-lubricating hollow bars and rods. Solar energy provides three-quar- ters of the department’s electricity
www.pipeandprofile.com
needs – of 80kW/h – during peak sunlight hours. A smaller proportion of its electricity needs are catered for from dawn and after 12 noon. “This is a 60kW, on-demand grid- tied system,” said Marius Du Plooy, head of extrusion at the company. “This means that the inverter is synchronised with the municipality’s supply and we use what we produce during day time.” It is not yet cost effective to use
storage batteries, so the full energy capacity of the solar system is not
harnessed. However, the company is investigating how to expand the usage of the system. Extruders are power intensive, as
energy is needed for the barrel heaters, screw drives and digital control systems, says the company. Jean-Patrick Leger, CEO of Vesco-
nite, added: “This is one thing that small businesses can do to save money and make themselves less reliant on State-provided electricity.” �
www.vesconite.com
January/February 2021 | PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION 39 Available in Shore A
hardnesses from 50 to 90, the compounds can be supplied in natural or black formulations and exhibit a light natural colour for ease of colouring. They can be extruded and injection moulded. The materials can be used
non-metallic materials intended for use in drinking water systems. The materials also comply with European directive EU 10/2011 for food contact applications and are made with FDA CFR 21-compliant ingredients.
to make a range of compo- nents, including hoses, pipe fittings and seals. “These TPEs help to avoid chemical or microbial contamination of potable water systems and prevent impairment of water quality with unwanted odours, flavours, or colours,” said Chris Smith, senior market manager for Teknor Apex in Europe. “Besides making them available in a wide range of standard grades, we can develop custom formulations to meet specific customer requirements.” �
www.teknorapex.com
RECYCLING
Turning silicone
into oil US-based New Age Industries is to recycle waste silicone from its production processes into silicone oil. The scrap – from its silicone tubing and braid-reinforced hose extrusion processes – is sent to recycling specialist Eco USA, which converts the waste into oil that can be used for industrial applications. “We‘re always looking for ways to reduce manufacturing waste,” said Matt Bauer, production manager at New Age Industries. “Producing silicone oil from silicone tubing is a multi-step reclamation process that few companies are doing.” The amount of silicone
scrap generated adds up to tens of thousands of pounds, says Bauer. �
www.newageindustries.com
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