NEWS


Extruder deliveries in North America improve in Q4 2022


Deliveries of primary plastics machin- ery – including extruders – in North America rose in the final quarter of 2022, according to the statistics from the Plastics Industry Association. The preliminary estimate of total


value from reporting companies was nearly US$433 million for the period – an increase of more than 22% compared to the third quarter. Compared to Q4 2021, it represented a rise of over 4%. Of the three primary types of plastics machinery, the value of single-screw extruders increased the most – up nearly 35% compared to Q3 2022. Injection moulding deliveries rose 25% in the same period, while those of twin-screw extruders rose nearly 9%. Compared to Q4 2021, deliveries


of single- and twin-screw extruders rose by around 8% and 25%, respec- tively, while injection moulding


Costa Rica: Tekni-Plex ups output


TekniPlex is expanding medical pipe extrusion at its production facility in Cartago, Costa Rica. This will raise manufacturing capacity while adding around 40,000 sq ft of space. First, new extrusion equipment will be installed in a cleanroom environ- ment at the facility. It is due to begin operating by the end of Q2. Tekniplex says the new system will ensure tighter tolerances at higher manufacturing speeds. � www.tekni-plex.com


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machines were nearly 3% higher. “The increase in plastics machinery in the fourth quarter speaks of the importance of plastics manufacturing – and the stable demand for plastic and plastic products in the economy last year,” said Perc Pineda, chief economist for the organisation. “As expected, the increase includes backlog production resulting from supply chain problems in previous quarters.” The association’s Committee on Equipment Statistics (CES) also conducts a quarterly survey of plastics machinery suppliers, for their per- spective of market conditions and expectations. The survey showed an increase in


participants expecting market conditions in the next quarter to remain unchanged or improve – from around 31% to 36%. Similarly, those participants who expect market


conditions over the next 12 months to remain unchanged or improve rose from 34% to 45%. Plastics machinery exports fell 10%


to nearly US$199m in the third quarter. Mexico and Canada remained the top export markets of plastics machinery from the US in the third quarter. Combined exports to USMCA partners reached nearly $110m – rep- resenting two-thirds of total plastics machinery exports from the US. Imports fell 12% to $424m in Q3.


The US plastics machinery trade deficit narrowed from $261m in Q2 to $225m in Q3. This shows that moderating global economic growth and a strong US dollar is slowing the plastics machinery trade, said the organisation. “I previously said that Q4 2022 shipments would surpass Q3 2022 shipments – and that’s what we got,” said Pineda. � www.plasticsindustry.org


Canadian pipe maker Soleno to open first US-based facility


Canadian pipe manufac- turer Soleno is planning to open its first US-based production plant, at a site in Saratoga County in New York state.


Soleno says the new facility will create around 35 jobs over three years – and up to 50 within five years. The company, based in Quebec, make HDPE pipe for storm water applications. The new plant, which will


cost around US$20 million, will make HDPE pipe “for controlling and mastering storm water”.


PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | May/June 2023


Above: Soleno is a major producer of HDPE drainage pipe Construction of a 45,000


sq ft factory and office building has been approved. The plant is due to begin production in early 2024, ac-


cording to Soleno. The company expects to export around 20% of the plant’s output. � www.soleno.com


www.pipeandprofile.com


IMAGE: SOLENO


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