NEWS
New HQ for Rethink Robotics
Hahn Group subsidiary Rethink Robotics has seen its new headquar- ters and production facility in Bochum, Germany, officially inaugurated. The com- pany has also revealed that it has a new minority shareholder in Siemens Technology Accelerator, which commercialises technology applications outside Siemens’ core areas. Rethink moved into the new facility, where it produces collaborative robot systems for both manufacturing and laboratory applications, during the summer. This is located in the immedi- ate vicinity of the learning factory of the chair for production systems at Ruhr Universität Bochum and forms part of the new Hahn Group Technology Centre. �
www.rethinkrobotics.com
EU calls for more limits on bisphenol-A content
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has opened a call for evidence following a proposal from Germany to place a restriction on the presence of bisphenol-A (BPA) and alternatives as an additive or unreacted monomer in articles and mixtures at levels or more than 0.02wt%. BPA is used as a monomer
in production of polycarbon- ate (PC) and epoxy resins. It is classified in the EU as toxic to human reproduction and restrictions already apply in certain end use applications. Germany says it wants to reduce environmental emissions of BPA and is taking the restriction route, rather than authorisation, as the latter does not effectively address imported articles. PlasticsEurope, which
represents PC producers at an EU level, said the German move was unexpected “considering the data already available on the
sources of BPA emissions into the environment, and further clarifying research results being on the way.” The association said studies shared with the German competent authori- ties show PC articles account for less than 1% of total BPA emissions to the environment. It said that it would contribute to the process with “the expecta- tion that a restriction proposal shall be based on facts and the most recent scientific insights.” Previous published studies indicate residual
Proposal from Germany
would impose a 0.02wt% limit on BPA
BPA content in PC is below the proposal’s 0.02wt% limit. n A pilot project carried out by ECHA’s Enforcement Forum has found more than 23% of products imported into the EU non-compliant with REACH and CLP Regulations. Inspectors across 16 member states checked around 1,400 products. 17% of the 1,225 checked for restricted substances had amounts above the required limit. Of the 167 products checked for CLP compliance, 64% were found to be non-compliant. �
www.echa.europa.eu
Comar continues US plant expansions
Pharmaceutical packaging maker Comar is moving into a 160,000 sq foot facility in West Bend, Wisconsin, which represents the third major US site expansion announced by the company in 2020. The relocation of the existing
operation by five miles is to a site that triples Comar’s local footprint. The new facility will receive $7m investment in high tonnage injection moulding machines, large cavitation moulds and press-side automation. Mike Ruggieri, CEO of Comar, said:
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“The pandemic affecting our society has brought an unprecedented surge in demand for Comar’s rigid packag- ing, especially for disinfecting wipes used in hospitals, homes and institu- tions. We recognize the critical role our injection moulding and blow moulding solutions play in delivering essential supplies to the frontlines in the battle against Covid-19.” Comar said it expects to begin
production at the new facility in December and commence a full plant move during the first quarter of 2021.
INJECTION WORLD | November/December 2020
In February, Comar said it was building a custom facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California, to consolidate operations from its existing Rancho Cucamonga and Garden Grove plants. The new 230,000 sq foot facility will be ISO 13485 certified, and 26,000 sq feet of the facility will have ISO Class 8 injection moulding and assembly cleanrooms. In June, it announced a relocation and expansion of its Buena plant operations into a new facility in Vineland, New Jersey. �
https://comar.com
www.injectionworld.com
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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