For parts where 3D printing may not be the most suitable option, the company has also introduced a new Rapid Aluminium Tooling service for the production of rapid prototypes and end-use parts with a turnaround time of 10 working days.

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is widely used in large amounts for the production of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), which is used in applications such as cast and extruded sheet and resins (PMMA pellets) for injection molding and extrusion products. MMA is also used extensively in acrylic surface coatings (acrylic latexes and enamels) and adhesives. Other important applications for MMA include impact modification and acrylic processing aids; emulsion polymers principally for paper, textiles, leather and floor polishes; mineral-filled sheet; polyesters; and polymer concrete.

The process involves the manufacture of injection moulding tooling cavity inserts from mould grade aluminium to fit the company’s existing mould tool bases. Plastic Parts Direct says production quantities can be as low as 10 or facilitate upwards of 10,000+ parts with a tool life expectancy running into years in many cases.

The company, which specialises in precision plastic injection moulding, tool making and model-making, has expanded its rapid prototyping, machine tooling and 3D printing capabilities to launch Plastic Parts 3D. First announced towards the end of last year, the new venture was introduced in response to a growing number of customers seeking small match mouldings who had previously been put off by high tooling costs associated with a small amount of product.

Mainland China was the largest consumer of MMA at 30% of global consumption in 2022. In the last five years, the MMA market has been heavily defined and influenced by: the global automobile and construction industries, older versus newer MMA technologies, raw material shortages, new MMA trade flows (especially from Saudi Arabia exports), new MMA capacity in mainland China, the COVID-19 pandemic, increases in global PMMA sheet production and consumption (for example sneeze guards), the conflict in Ukraine (including geopolitical instability) and high inflation.

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Now, with Plastic Part 3D’s additive manufacturing facility, the company is offering a more economical solution for projects requiring smaller quantities of 10-500 injection moulded parts or for the prototyping of designs before committing to traditional tooling.

UK manufacturer Plastic Parts Direct has launched a new 3D printing service for injection mould tools following a 50,000 GBP investment.

S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Methyl Methacrylate has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with S&P Global’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.

S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Methyl Methacrylate is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including

PMMA accounted for close to two-thirds of global consumption of MMA. Acrylic surface coatings and other uses accounted for the remainder.