MATERIALS | SHEET MATERIALS
Right: Plaskolite’s Celtec White is an expanded PVC sheet for the sign and graphics market
Expo in Las Vegas, Plaskolite launched Celtec White – an expanded PVC sheet for the sign and graphics market. The new product delivers an optimised white point for vibrant, true-to-colour graphics for digital printing applications. Other benefits include consistent density, a broad range of sizes and thicknesses, and eco-conscious manufacturing by incorporating up to 30% recycled content. “We wanted to provide a cleaner, more desir- able white point for printers and graphics profes- sionals that enhances all forms of digital print signage,” said Kevin Vincent, director of sales at Plaskolite.
Despite its expansions and launches, Plaskolite
is cutting back elsewhere – and will lay off 90 staff at its plant in Massachusetts. A report in the local Berkshire Eagle says this will happen between now and spring 2026 as it prepares to close its Berk- shire County plant. Inflation and rising expenses, an ageing building and difficulty recruiting skilled workers were among the reasons for the plant closure, said the report. The company also blamed high electricity costs in the state as another factor for the move. Those affected have been offered jobs at two Plaskolite plants in Ohio.
Interlayer investment Eastman is upgrading and expanding extrusion capability for interlayers product lines at its facility in Ghent, Belgium. The investment will strengthen Eastman’s supply capability in response to growing regional and global demand for its Saflex polyvinyl butyral (PVB) products in the automotive market, as well as positioning the site for future growth in both the automotive and architecture segments. The project is expected to be completed by 2026. “Strong macrotrends in enhancing connectivity, autonomous driving and electrification are fuelling increased demand for products including Saflex
14 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | May 2025
Horizon Vision for head-up displays, Saflex colour and solar portfolio, and new solutions like Evoca RSL for electric vehicles,” said Sabine Ketsman, division president of Eastman’s films business. Saflex interlayers are made of PVB films lami-
nated between two sheets of glass. Eastman’s PVB interlayers enhance automotive and architectural glass lamination in a variety of ways, including solar control, sound reduction, safety, security, and UV protection.
Foamed PP SML of Austria says its high-performance PP sheet lines are now equipped to make premium foamed sheet.
“In direct response to customer requirements, we have optimised and upgraded specific compo- nents of our PP sheet lines for the manufacturing of high volumes of premium foamed sheet,” said Martin Kastner, R&D engineer at SML. “We did this without compromising the lines’ high efficiency and product quality with regard to classic PP thermo- forming sheet.”
Due to their lightweight nature and insulating
properties, products thermoformed from this sheet can be used as an alternative to products made of expanded polystyrene (EPS). This is important because of EU regulations, and an “imminent ban on EPS”. A three-layer sheet – comprising an 80% middle
layer of foamed PP and 20% conventional PP in the outer layers – is around 40% lighter than a pure PP sheet. “The lower material input results in significant savings for sheet manufacturers – and in lighter packaging,” said Kastner. Benefits of foamed PP sheet include better
insulation – thanks to the microcells – as well as being microwave-safe and recyclable. SML’s PP sheet line is a coextrusion system with a 180/33 single-screw extruder as the main extruder – on which the foamed B-layer can be
www.filmandsheet.com
IMAGE: PLASKOLITE
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