This month’s resin pricing report includes PT’s quarterly check-in on select engineering resins, including nylon 6 and 66.

Despite price increase nominations going into second quarter, it appeared there was potential for generally flat pricing with the exception of a major downward correction for PP.

While the major correction in PP prices was finally underway, generally stable pricing was anticipated for the other four commodity resins.

Learn about sustainable scrap reprocessing—this resource offers a deep dive into everything from granulator types and options, to service tips, videos and technical articles.

technotrans says climate protection, energy efficiency and customization will be key discussion topics at PTXPO as it displays its protemp flow 6 ultrasonic eco and the teco cs 90t 9.1 TCUs.

Improvements in nozzle design in recent years overcome some of the limitations of previous filter, mixing, and shut-off nozzles.

Green Dot’s new compostable offering also includes three new thermoforming grades which provide a range of properties including clarity. Other grades provide higher heat performance and greater flexibility for applications such as food service packaging, takeout containers, deli packages, and straws. The thermoforming grades are also completing final certification by TüV Austria.

Join this webinar to explore the transformative benefits of retrofitting your existing injection molding machines (IMMs). Engel will guide you through upgrading your equipment to enhance monitoring, control and adaptability — all while integrating digital technologies. You'll learn about the latest trends in IMM retrofitting (including Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits) and discover how to future-proof your machines for a competitive edge. With insights from industry experts, it'll walk you through the decision-making process, ensuring you make informed choices that drive your business forward. Agenda: Maximize the value of your current IMMs through strategic retrofitting Learn how to integrate digital technologies to enhance monitoring and control Explore the benefits of Euromap interfaces and plasticizing retrofits Understand how retrofitting can help meet new product demands and improve adaptability Discover how Engel can support your retrofitting needs, from free consultations to execution

In a time where sustainability is no longer just a buzzword, the food and beverage packaging industry is required to be at the forefront of this innovation. By adopting circular packaging processes and solutions, producers can meet regulatory requirements while also satisfying consumer demand and enhancing brand reputation. Join Husky to learn more about the broader implications of the circular economy — as well as how leading brands are leveraging this opportunity to reduce costs, increase design flexibility and boost product differentiation. Agenda: The cost and operational benefits of embracing circularity Key materials in circular packaging — including rPET and emerging bioplastics How to design a circular food and beverage package Strategies for selecting sustainable closures to future-proof packaging solutions Optimization and streamlining of production processes for enhanced efficiency How Husky Technologies can enable your sustainable success

In the new six-tool package, the E-Multi was purchased along with a 550-ton Arburg Allrounder injection machine, along with automation and a rotary-table system to spin the tool between shots. “With the second two-shot work cell,” Frederick says, “this was really our first rodeo, if you will, with the rotary table.”

Plastics Technology covers technical and business Information for Plastics Processors in Injection Molding, Extrusion, Blow Molding, Plastic Additives, Compounding, Plastic Materials, and Resin Pricing. About Us

Additive technology creates air pockets in film during orientation, cutting down on the amount of resin needed while boosting opacity, mechanical properties and recyclability.

“Integrating the E-Multi and the rotary table in the Arburg press was a little challenging,” Frederick says, “just because it’s a lot of different pieces of equipment that have to talk to each other, and this is not an everyday type of work cell.”

Plastics Technology’s Tech Days is back! Every Tuesday in October, a series of five online presentations will be given by industry supplier around the following topics:  Injection Molding — New Technologies, Efficiencies Film Extrusion — New Technologies, Efficiencies Upstream/Downstream Operations Injection Molding — Sustainability Extrusion — Compounding Coming out of NPE2024, PT identified a variety of topics, technologies and trends that are driving and shaping the evolution of plastic products manufacturing — from recycling/recyclability and energy optimization to AI-based process control and automation implementation. PT Tech Days is designed to provide a robust, curated, accessible platform through which plastics professionals can explore these trends, have direct access to subject-matter experts and develop strategies for applying solutions in their operations.

Mixed in among thought leaders from leading suppliers to injection molders and mold makers at the 2023 Molding and MoldMaking conferences will be molders and toolmakers themselves.

Across the show, sustainability ruled in new materials technology, from polyolefins and engineering resins to biobased materials.

Implementing a production monitoring system as the foundation of a ‘smart factory’ is about integrating people with new technology as much as it is about integrating machines and computers. Here are tips from a company that has gone through the process.

Formnext Chicago is an industrial additive manufacturing expo taking place April 8-10, 2025 at McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois. Formnext Chicago is the second in a series of Formnext events in the U.S. being produced by Mesago Messe Frankfurt, AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, and Gardner Business Media (our publisher).

Join Wittmann for an engaging webinar on the transformative impact of manufacturing execution systems (MES) in the plastic injection molding industry. Discover how MES enhances production efficiency, quality control and real-time monitoring while also reducing downtime. It will explore the integration of MES with existing systems, emphasizing compliance and traceability for automotive and medical sectors. Learn about the latest advancements in IoT and AI technologies and how they drive innovation and continuous improvement in MES. Agenda: Overview of MES benefits What is MES? Definition, role and brief history Historical perspective and evolution Longevity and analytics Connectivity: importance, standards and integration Advantages of MES: efficiency, real-time data, traceability and cost savings Emerging technologies: IoT and AI in MES

In this collection of articles, two of the industry’s foremost authorities on screw design — Jim Frankand and Mark Spalding — offer their sage advice on screw design...what works, what doesn’t, and what to look for when things start going wrong.

Take a deep dive into all of the various aspects of part quoting to ensure you’ve got all the bases—as in costs—covered before preparing your customer’s quote for services.

A customer request for multi-material molding presented a market opportunity and potential financial peril: How do you add two-shot without also overextending yourself from an investment perspective?

These new compostable materials are an integral part of the company’s extensive bioplastics portfolio which includes biocomposites, elastomers, and natural fiber-reinforced resins all produced at the company’s newly expanded manufacturing facility in Onaga, KS.

In this collection, which is part one of a series representing some of John’s finest work, we present you with five articles that we think you will refer to time and again as you look to solve problems, cut cycle times and improve the quality of the parts you mold.

The aim of this presentation is to guide you through the factors and the numbers that will help you determine if a robot is a smart investment for your application. Agenda:  Why are you considering automation? What problems are you trying to solve? How and why automation can help Crunch the numbers and determine the ROI

Successfully starting or restarting an injection molding machine is less about ticking boxes on a rote checklist and more about individually assessing each processing scenario and its unique variables.

Custom injection molder Core Technology Molding Corp., Greensboro, N.C., is a “guinea pig” when it comes to trying out new technologies, according to Brandon Frederick, manufacturing engineer and business development manager. So back in 2016 when a customer approached it about multi-shot molding, Frederick says Core was both curious and cautious.

Mold maintenance is critical, and with this collection of content we’ve bundled some of the very best advice we’ve published on repairing, maintaining, evaluating and even hanging molds on injection molding machines.

Core’s answer to that question was the E-Multi secondary injection unit from Milacron’s Mold-Masters product brand. This standalone self-contained system converts existing molding machines to multi-shot and multi-material capability, in some cases eliminating the need to invest in a dedicated two-shot molding machine.

August 29-30 in Minneapolis all things injection molding and moldmaking will be happening at the Hyatt Regency — check out who’s speaking on what topics today.

They are suitable for applications including produce bags, bubble wrap, agricultural films, and other lawn and garden packaging. The film materials are completing third-party certification by TüV Austria, a leading European certifying agency.

Across all process types, sustainability was a big theme at NPE2024. But there was plenty to see in automation and artificial intelligence as well.

A homogenous melt is required for consistent part quality, but achieving it requires balancing a number of factors, including barrel usage and temperature as well as screw speed, backpressure and residence time. Learn how to prepare your melt for molding success in this two-part series.

Sustainability continues to dominate new additives technology, but upping performance is also evident. Most of the new additives have been targeted to commodity resins and particularly polyolefins.

Exhibitors and presenters at the plastics show emphasized 3D printing as a complement and aid to more traditional production processes.

Gifted with extraordinary technical know how and an authoritative yet plain English writing style, in this collection of articles Fattori offers his insights on a variety of molding-related topics that are bound to make your days on the production floor go a little bit better.

Core Technology Molding turned to Mold-Masters E-Multi auxiliary injection unit to help it win a job and dramatically change its process.

Mike Sepe has authored more than 25 ANTEC papers and more than 250 articles illustrating the importance of this interdisciplanary approach. In this collection, we present some of his best work during the years he has been contributing for Plastics Technology Magazine.

Join Engel in exploring the future of battery molding technology. Discover advancements in thermoplastic composites for battery housings, innovative automation solutions and the latest in large-tonnage equipment designed for e-mobility — all with a focus on cost-efficient solutions. Agenda: Learn about cutting-edge thermoplastic composites for durable, sustainable and cost-efficient battery housings Explore advanced automation concepts for efficient and scalable production See the latest large-tonnage equipment and technology innovations for e-mobility solutions

Baystar's Borstar technology is helping customers deliver better, more reliable production methods to greenhouse agriculture.

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) has released final figures for NPE2024: The Plastics Show (May 6-10; Orlando) that officially make it the largest ever NPE in several key metrics.

With advocacy, communication and sustainability as three main pillars, Seaholm leads a trade association to NPE that ‘is more active today than we have ever been.’

Multiple speakers at Molding 2023 will address the ways simulation can impact material substitution decisions, process profitability and simplification of mold design.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

Polymers with faster biodegradability that target packaging and single-use applications are suitable for film (shown), sheet, and thermoforming processes.

In a breakthrough application development effort, Green Dot worked with a customer to commercialize a living hinge design for an injection molded package. Physical and mechanical properties of typical bioplastic resins have not previously allowed the molding of a living hinge capable of hundreds of flexural openings and closures while delivering mechanical properties necessary for a polypropylene-type enclosure.

Since the customer was new to Core and a smaller player in its market space, Core knew that if it added multi-material molding capabilities, how it did so would be critical. “At any given time, this business could potentially go away,” Frederick says. “So we thought: What is the most risk-averse approach we could take to do multi-material?”

Second quarter started with price hikes in PE and the four volume engineering resins, but relatively stable pricing was largely expected by the quarter’s end.

After successfully introducing a combined conference for moldmakers and injection molders in 2022, Plastics Technology and MoldMaking Technology are once again joining forces for a tooling/molding two-for-one.

The five new film grades are compostable starch blends that require no tooling or process modifications when run on traditional blown or cast film equipment. Among them are Terratek BD3003, which exhibits high puncture resistance and tear strength and is heat-sealable like linear low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film.

Join KraussMaffei for an insightful webinar designed for industry professionals, engineers and anyone interested in the manufacturing processes of PVC pipes. This session will provide a comprehensive understanding of the technology behind the production of high-quality PVC pipes: from raw material preparation to final product testing. Agenda: Introduction to PVC extrusion: overview of the basic principles of PVC pipe extrusion — including the process of melting and shaping PVC resin into pipe forms Equipment and machinery: detailed explanation of the key equipment involved — such as extruders, dies and cooling systems — and their roles in the extrusion process Process parameters: insight into the critical process parameters like temperature, pressure and cooling rates that influence the quality and consistency of the final PVC pipes Energy efficiency: examination of ways to save material and energy use when extruding PVC pipe products

“I don’t think we’ve ever done anything slower than 60 mph,” Frederick says. “Whenever we commit to something we always hit the ground running.” That second tool package, however, added a another wrinkle to Core’s two-shot capability and came with its own learning curve.

True to its inner guinea pig, Core was willing to experiment with multi-material and opted to do so with an E-Multi. In time, the presence of that unit, as well as the two-shot experience gained, helped deliver a whole new project for the company in 2018. That job included a six-tool multi-material mold package and led to the purchase of a second E-Multi. From zero two-shot molding to seven two-shot tools, Core accelerated into the new capability with relative abandon.

This Knowledge Center provides an overview of the considerations needed to understand the purchase, operation, and maintenance of a process cooling system.

“This launch culminates our extensive development of a new category of compostable materials for single-use applications and packaging markets,” says Mark Remmert, CEO. “We’ve successfully developed unique materials that have a faster rate of biodegradation in ambient composting conditions and the functional performance that the market demands.”

Discover how artifical intelligence is revolutionizing plastics processing. Hear from industry experts on the future impact of AI on your operations and envision a fully interconnected plant.

The two-shot cell places molds on a rotary table that spins the tool 180° to accept the TPE overmolding from the E-Multi secondary injection unit.

When, how, what and why to automate — leading robotics suppliers and forward-thinking moldmakers will share their insights on automating manufacturing at collocated event.

Green Dot Bioplastics, a  developer and supplier of bioplastic materials for innovative, sustainable end-uses, has expanded its Terratek BD line with nine new compostable grades that target single-use and packaging applications. The expanded offering for film extrusion, thermoforming, and injection molding is in line with Green Dot Bioplastics’ goal to achieve faster rates of biodegradability, in ambient conditions, while meeting the growing sustainability demands of brand owners and consumers.

Terratek BD3300 is a stiff, high-modulus material with high-heat resistance and overall properties similar to high-density (HDPE) polyethylene film.

Say “manufacturing automation” and thoughts immediately go to the shop floor and specialized production equipment, robotics and material handling systems. But there is another realm of possible automation — the front office.

Introduced by Zeiger and Spark Industries at the PTXPO, the nozzle is designed for maximum heat transfer and uniformity with a continuous taper for self cleaning.

Resin drying is a crucial, but often-misunderstood area. This collection includes details on why and what you need to dry, how to specify a dryer, and best practices.

Two injection molding grades round out the new compostable offering. They deliver higher heat performance and enhanced processability (lower cycle times) for caps/closures, food service ware, and takeout containers.

Core Technology’s second two-shot molding cell was built around an E-Multi secondary injection unit and an Arburg injection molding machine.

In this collection of content, we provide expert advice on welding from some of the leading authorities in the field, with tips on such matters as controls, as well as insights on how to solve common problems in welding.

Processors with sustainability goals or mandates have a number of ways to reach their goals. Biopolymers are among them.

For those tools, a robot with specialized end-of-arm-tooling removes three bushing inserts from a bowl feeder and places them in the stationary half of the mold. The mold closes and after the bushings are overmolded with glass-filled PP, the mold reopens, rotates 180°, and then the PP part is overmolded with TPE via the E-Multi on the non-operator side of the press in an L configuration, with finished parts removed by the same insert-placing robot and set on a conveyor.

While the melting process does not provide perfect mixing, this study shows that mixing is indeed initiated during melting.

While prices moved up for three of the five commodity resins, there was potential for a flat trajectory for the rest of the third quarter.

In this three-part collection, veteran molder and moldmaker Jim Fattori brings to bear his 40+ years of on-the-job experience and provides molders his “from the trenches” perspective on on the why, where and how of venting injection molds. Take the trial-and-error out of the molding venting process.

Ultradent's entry of its Umbrella cheek retractor took home the awards for Technical Sophistication and Achievement in Economics and Efficiency at PTXPO.

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