THIN WALL MOULDING | TECHNOLOGY
Increased use of bio-based and recycled plastics in packaging applications is driving new advances in thin-wall injection moulding technology. Mark Holmes reports
Societal trends continue to support thin-wall packaging
Manufacturers of injection moulding machinery continue to improve the thin-walling cababilities of their machines. However, the demands of the circular economy, for packaging in particular, are requiring further advances in thin-wall moulding technologies to accomodate a wider range of source materials, including bio-based plastics and post-consumer recyclates. The global forecast for the thin-walled plastic
packaging market is rising significantly, says Sumitomo (SHI) Demag UK. “According to a report released in 2020 by Research & Markets, it will be worth an estimated $71bn by 2027 expand- ing at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2019-2027,” adds Nigel Flowers, Managing Director. “Food and beverage, and more widespread adoption of thin-walled packaging in developing economies,
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will drive this growth. Polyethylene is projected to be the largest-growing segment during this forecast period. Lightweighting and consumer convenience are important factors in this expan- sion, with the combination of environmental pressures, improvements in recycle rates and high polymer prices placing increasing pressures on packaging manufacturers. Wider adoption of bio-based and recycled materials is also expected to boost market growth.“ Some packaging trends are well established, while others are emerging, he says. “For several decades now lightweighting and consumer convenience have given packaging manufacturers the strong commercial incentive to do more with less. No strangers to responding to demographic and lifestyle changes and balancing a wide range
Main image: An Arburg Allrounder 820 H in the Packaging version has produced IML cups with digital water- marks from the HolyGrail 2.0 initiative that enable sorting into homoge- neous materials
March 2021 | INJECTION WORLD 27
IMAGE: ARBURG
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