Samyang Corp. plans to expand the use of this material in various industries requiring transparency and flame-retardancy, such as automotive and home appliance exteriors and interiors, sound barriers, and medical device parts, based on its capability to maintain mechanical properties at a similar level to regular polycarbonate even when processed into thin films of about 1 mm thick.

Haitian Precision was established in 2002 and offers a wide range of CNC machinery including vertical and horizontal machining centers, lathes, and dual-column machining centers. A preview of the new Haitian Precision product line at the open house included a TC25 II CNC lathe and a VMC850 II vertical machining center. Four vertical machining centers are currently in stock in South Carolina.

Further, Samyang is accelerating its expansion into an eco-friendly materials business. Last year, it developed the country's first PC containing more than 90% of post-consumer recycled polycarbonate (PCR-PC). Additionally, it has signed a supply contract with the fishing net recycling company Netspa and is developing plastic compounds for automobile interiors and exteriors, electronic devices, and household goods using recycled plastic pellets from fishing nets, with commercialization on the horizon.

Samyang commissioned global inspection and testing company SGS to test for 74 types of PFAS in this test. Key substances tested for included perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), which can cause chronic renal failure, and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), known to increase the rate of birth defects and cause various severe diseases such as cancers and thyroid disorders. In addition, tests were conducted for perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS), perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids (PFCA), and various per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The results showed no detection of these substances.

Artificial substances composed of carbon and fluorine, PFAS are widely used in electrical and electronic products, food packaging, cosmetics, textiles, and firefighting equipment because of their thermal stability and resistance to water and oil. Termed as "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to natural decomposition, they accumulate in the environment and human body, causing environmental pollution and health issues such as tumors, thyroid disruption, and hormonal imbalances, according to some experts. The United States has already started regulating PFAS, and the European Union is pushing for legislation to ban their use, including in harmful chemicals. Other countries also are moving toward restrictive regulations.

Attendees heard from industry experts in a series of quick-hitting “Tech Talks” geared towards providing high-value takeaways. Presenters included:

Korea’s Samyang is promoting the material for deployment in a range of market segments including automotive, medical devices, and electronics.

Jupiter III servo-hydraulic, two-platen molding machine – JU 5500 / 4630 (618 U.S. tons) running a thick-wall electrical junction box mold

Absolute Haitian held an open house and luncheon September 28 for customers and industry members at its 116,000-square-foot applications center in Moncks Corner, SC, which opened in 2019. The event gave industry professionals the opportunity to view new technology, product introductions and more than 100 electric and servo-hydraulic stock machines and large-tonnage subassemblies ready for quick delivery.

On display were three operating injection molding machine cells and a static display of the electric Zeres III molding machine equipped with Haitian’s Medical Package introduced at K 2022. Injection molding machine cells in operation included:

Haitian Die Casting was established in 2016 and has quickly become of the largest suppliers of die-casting machines in the world. Haitian Die Casting offers standard machines sizes from 180 to 4,500 tons and is one of the few suppliers in the world with the manufacturing capability for die casting machines up to 9,000 tons.  On display was an HDC550 with tonnage of 618 tons/560 tonnes.

Mars III servo-hydraulic molding machine – MA 6500 / 6300h (730 U.S. tons) running a two-cavity flowerpot mold; cycle time of 18 seconds

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and a proud dachshund owner.

South Korea’s Samyang Corp. has developed an eco-friendly transparent flame-retardant polycarbonate (PC) that is totally free of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

In addition, group company Samyang Innochem has completed a 15,000-tonnes/year plant for the production of isosorbide from corn. This precursor can be used as a raw material for bioplastics. Finally, Samyang Packaging is expanding its recySOURCE recycled PET resin business with a 21,000-tonnes/year facility in Sihwa, South Korea.

The Haitian Group introduced their Haitian Precision and Haitian Die Casting product lines to US and Canadian markets at the open house. Both business units’ products are now sold in Asia, Europe, Mexico, and South America. Distribution in the US and Canada will be handled by the Absolute Group with full-scale distribution in 2024.

Samyang’s transparent flame-retardant polycarbonate is an eco-friendly material developed by changing the molecular bonding structure based on silicone polycarbonate (Si-PC), without adding halogen-based flame retardants like chlorine and bromine, which generate toxic gases when incinerated. The material overcomes the drawbacks of traditional flame-retardant PCs, namely lower transparency and impact strength, while its chemical resistance and low-temperature impact strength are superior to standard polycarbonate.

Flame-retardant performance is also reported to be exceptional, having obtained the highest rating of V-0 in the UL 94 vertical burn test. V-0 is only awarded to plastics that self-extinguish within 10 seconds when ignited vertically.

Open house at 116,000-square-foot applications center in Moncks Corner, SC, featured more than 100 electric and servo-hydraulic plastic injection molding systems.

Based in Worcester, MA, Absolute Haitian is the exclusive sales and service partner in the US and Canada for Ningbo Haitian Machinery Co., Ltd. based in Ningbo, China. Ningbo Haitian Machinery Co., Ltd. is the world’s largest supplier of plastics injection molding machinery, shipping an average of 43,000 machines each year. Haitian products are sold in more than 130 countries with machine sizes ranging from 44 to 7,425 tons of clamp force.

Zeres III electric molding machine – ZE 1500 / 210 III (169 U.S. tons) running a 4-cavity, thin-wall cup mold; cycle time of 10 seconds