Discover suppliers of these and more in our advertisers’ index and buyer’s guide, available in the back of PIM International.

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.

With it acquisition of DuPont’s engineering resins, Celanese’s resin solutions for automotive electrification, e-mobility and consumer electronics are plentiful.

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

Driven by brand owner demands and new worldwide legislation, the entire supply chain is working toward the shift to circularity, with some evidence the circular economy has already begun.

The COVID-19 pandemic, the US/China semiconductor trade war, and the wider semiconductor crisis led to reduced smartphone production, resulting in a reduction in the demand for MIM parts for this application. This resulting spare capacity led to an immediate production shift in Greater China. Small smartphone parts were replaced by components for domestic products, often larger in size. This shift was in part possible thanks to the low cost of Chinese MIM powders. This, combined with low domestic transport costs, has allowed raw materials and products to be produced nearer the point of demand, without the need for international shipping. The MIM industry in Greater China has, in this instance, proven itself resilient.

As reported in a PT blog in July, director of applications development Cliff Watkins of resin distributor PolySource, offered key talking points on this issue to inform customers and to discuss its nylon 66 replacement offerings, which include, nylon 6, PBT, PPA, and aliphatic polyketone.

In life, some things develop naturally, and some are helped along by luck. The successful development of industrial technology also needs coincidence. These are some of the ‘coincidences’ that I believe had an impact on the development of MIM in China.

Thousands of people visit our Supplier Guide every day to source equipment and materials. Get in front of them with a free company profile.

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.

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.

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.

The 2023 International Conference on Injection Moulding of Metals, Ceramics and Carbides (MIM2023), organised by the Metal Powder Industries Federa...»

Another alternative is DSM’s Stanyl nylon 46 with high stiffness retention up to 554 F and excellent wear and abrasion resistance in combination with low friction at elevated temperatures. It is recommended for parts are exposed to wear and friction (such as gears and chain tensioners), or exposed to demanding loads in hot air (such as charge-air ducts) or oil (such as some engine and transmission components).

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.

Reach a truly international audience that includes component manufacturers, end-users, industry suppliers, analysts, researchers and more.

● DowDuPont: While company sources are not aware of any customers who have switched to alternatives, for those that do want to qualify alternative solutions for existing commercial applications in automotive, E/E, industrial or consumer markets, DuPont offers Zytel nylon 6, Zytel HTN PPA, Crastin PBT, Rynite PET, and Delrin POM acetal.

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

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.

I believe that we are all curious as to the reasons driving the rapid growth of the MIM industry in Greater China – including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau – in the last decade. Is success down to being in the right place at the right time, to a series of coincidences, or can individuals and governments, through strategic goals or individual efforts, drive the success of an industry? Here is my analysis.

For higher-temperature applications and/or ones in contact with water/glycol, Wilson suggested Amodel PPA as a good alternative that will outperform nylon 66. For applications requiring high-surface quality and extraordinary mechanical strength, he cited Ixef PARA polyarylamide (also known as MXD6 nylon) as a good alternative to nylon 66.

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Jose Chirino, technical director of the Americas region for the high-performance materials business unit of Lanxess, reported that for several months, the company’s sales and technical teams have been engaging in frank discussions with customers about the material selection process. “We’ve found that many times the chosen material is more historical than truly engineered into the application. We have questioned this approach and had success in switching customers who are seeing a surge in their part cost due to raw-material increases and are concerned as well about short and mid-term material availability. But apart from cost and availability issues, many nylon 6 and PBT grades can nowadays meet crucial requirements with regards to properties, such as mechanical or thermal performance, surface quality and flame retardancy.”

For flame-retardant applications, Lanxess has positioned its new Pocan BFN2502 unfilled, halogen-free PBT, which achieves a UL 94V-0 rating at an impressive 0.4 mm, to replace halogen-free unfilled nylon 66. According to Chirino, the material meets all flammability requirements, laser-printing evaluations, and joint snap connections, along with excellent mechanical and processing properties, making it very attractive for molders, particularly when no change in tools is needed. ● Solvay: Wilson cited Omnix HPPA, a high-performance PPA, as a clear choice to replace glass-filled nylon 66, as it provides equivalent properties under dry conditions and superior performance after moisture absorption is considered. It can easily be used in hot-water tooling and has similar shrinkage values as nylon 66. It is targeted to structural applications in automotive and food-contact and drinking-water applications in consumer markets.

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.

Prof Kuen-Shyang Hwang (Fig. 3) teaches in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Taiwan University. He returned to Taiwan in 1988 from the United States, where he began his MIM research. All of Prof Hwang’s teachings and research are related to PM and MIM, an area in which he has mentored many students, many of whom are now in the MIM industry. Among these is Dr Y C Lu, Professor Hwang’s first PhD graduate, of Taiwan Powder Technology Co., Ltd. (TPT). TPT was the first company in Asia to produce MIM 3C products on a large-scale production order.

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

When Apple launched its new iPhone 13, we were very happy to see that parts produced by Metal Injection Molding still featured heavily. While the company’s requirements for MIM parts are very demanding across the board, this is especially the case in terms of part complexity, tolerances and appearance. It is in the latter – in a part’s aesthetic features – where the capabilities of MIM products can often be best demonstrated. Their excellent metallic appearance and surface finish, in addition to a variety of special capabilities unique to certain alloys, all available at a relatively quick production speed, are some of the key factors in MIM’s rise in popularity. And the technology’s progress shows little sign of slowing, with the new generation of folding smartphones relying on metal injection moulded hinges to deliver stable, long term performance.

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).

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.

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.

● DSM Engineering Plastics: Earlier this year, Rob Crowell, chief commercial officer, discussed the merits of four polymers in the company’s portfolio that could relatively easily replace nylon 66. Starting with Akulon nylon 6, he noted that its near-equivalent performance in stiffness and strength to nylon 66, and superior performance in toughness, processability, and heat-aging up to 392 F, suits it to applications where parts are exposed to hot air such as intake manifolds and air ducts; exposed to oil such as oil pans and filters; and parts with high requirements for surface appearance, such as pedals, door handles and power-tool housings.

EcoPaXX nylon 410, a high-performance biobased nylon, was cited for applications where parts are exposed to water or glycol such as in automotivethermal management. It demonstrates low moisture absorption and excellent chemical resistance, a high crystallization rate for fast and easy processing, and the highest melting point of all biobased nylons at up to 482 F.

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.

BASF is pursuing all options to source products along the nylon 66 value chain, including the planned acquisition of Solvay’s nylon 66 business.

● PolyOne: Company sources say they are offering nylon 6 for industrial and automotive applications, including underhood components, gears, and housings; adding that these two industries are the most open to trying alternatives. The company’s PlastiComp business is also offering blends of nylon 6 and nylon 66 in long-fiber formulations.

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

Still, nearly all industry sources contacted concede that they have customers expressing concern about the higher prices and the resin tightness. Sources at PolyOne Corp., Avon Lake, Ohio, reported that they saw this concern in early 2017, when nylon started getting tight, with customers asking for market data, price forecasts, and details on supply constraints. By the same token, PolyOne sources maintain that very few customers have switched to other resins. Said one, “We have some customers who are trying nylon 6, but the more dominant switch is from prime to recycled or wide-spec nylon 66.”

The good news, according to Dooley, include the some key ADN capacity additions. At Pensacola, Fla., Ascend, the world’s largest fully-integrated nylon 66 player, brought on 110 million lb of ADN in 2017; is soon slated to bring on another 80 million lb; and plans a 360-million-lb expansion by 2022. The 2019 ADN plant retrofits by Invista and Butachemie will each result in a 10% output increase. And Invista Shanghai is scheduled to bring on stream a new 661-million/lb ADN unit in 2023. Dooley ventures that these actions will translate into some nylon 66 supply improvement by mid-2020. For next year, he projects a continued tight supply/demand balance and potential price relief based on either more supply or less demand.

The GBA is also home to a leading manufacturing innovation city: Shenzhen. While the region faces increasing competition for low-cost manufacturing from Southeast Asian countries such as India and Vietnam, as well as in rapid research and development for innovative electronics from Europe, the United States, and Japan, the industry here naturally aims to keep its name relevant through its MIM technology capabilities. With the ability to meet the needs of a large number of orders in a short amount of time, it slots into place with the product development and mass-production methods already established in the GBA.

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

The free-to-access PIM International magazine archive offers unparalleled insight into the world of MIM, CIM and sinter-based AM from a commercial and technological perspective through:

As early as 1996, MIM was identified as one of the key technologies for the future of China’s manufacturing industry. MIM research and development programmes have been continuously supported by government programmes such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), the National High-Tech R&D Program of China (863 Program), the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program), and the National Key Research and Development Program of China, to name just a few.

How has the global Metal Injection Molding industry weathered the most turbulent years in recent history, and what has the impact been on MIM’s k...»

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

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.

In October, Ascend released a statement that it says was spurred by “conflicting reports on long-term PA 66 availability” in order to restate its commitment to meeting increased market demand for nylon 66 for the automotive, E/E, cable-tie, consumer and industrial markets. The statement also noted, “The fact remains that PA 66 provides the best mix of value, performance and processability among the various thermoplastics available today. Replacing PA 66 with another material has costs beyond availability and price.” Conceding that nylon 66 availability is “constrained for the short term,” the company said it’s working with customers to help relieve that constraint where possible. It added that its acquisition of Dutch plastics compounder Britannia Techno Polymers, which specializes in proprietary nylon compounds, is running at full capacity to serve its European customers. Similarly, its Foley, Ala., and Greenwood, S.C., plants are producing at optimal levels to support customers with compounds and fiber; and production at Pensacola, Fla., following the mid-July force majeure action, was at around 90% of capacity.

Prof Xuanhui Qu (Fig. 5) teaches Powder Metallurgy at the School of Materials Science and Engineering, within the University of Science and Technology Beijing. He is a Chinese-educated scholar who, since the beginning of his professorship in 1992, has trained over one hundred postgraduate students, many of whom are active in the MIM industry, including engineers, CTOs and CEOs. He allows students to guide their own work – something very admirable amid potentially rigid academic life. Today, he is the president of the MIM Association of the China Powder Metallurgy Alliance (CPMA), as well as the president of Powder Metallurgy Committee of the Chinese Society of Metals. He has served as Editor in Chief of the journal Powder Metallurgy Technology, the longest-running Chinese PM journal, since 2010.

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

The resin constraints are primarily related to tight supplies of key precursor adiponitrile (ADN), for which current global capacity, estimated at about 3.8 billion lb, is produced by four major players: Ascend Performance Materials and Invista in the U.S.; Butachemie, a joint venture of Invista and Solvay in Germany; and Japan’s Asahi Kasei. An explosion in 2015 at a Chinese ADN plant took out 18% of global capacity. The ADN issue appeared to have landed prominently on nearly everyone’s radar from hurricane season 2017 through 2018, starting with unplanned disruptions in production of ADN and nylon 66, all of which have been largely resolved by now, according to Houston-based IHSMarkit’s Brendan Dooley, global director for engineering resins.

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.’

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

For applications requiring additional flexibility or better impact resistance, there are toughened and elastomer-reinforced grades in the Amodel PPA and Ryton PPS portfolios that offer potential alternatives to unfilled nylon 66 grades.

● BASF: Szendro discussed three alternatives. For applications that require good electrical properties, good heat aging, weldability, impact performance and damping, he said Ultramid nylon 6 might be a solution. Possible uses include structural components, powertrain applications, and exterior appearance parts such as door handles and pedals.

By midyear 2018, nylon 66 prices were up more than 50% from 18 months before. In 2018 alone, there were first-quarter and third-quarter price hikes of 15-20¢/lb. Fourth-quarter price hikes were underway at press time in some parts of the world, and first-quarter 2019 increases would not be surprising. Planned 2019 outages, according to Dooley, include six-week shutdowns in the first and third quarters at Invista’s Victoria, Texas, plant and Butachemie’s German plant, each for the retrofit of new ADN technology.

All these equipment innovations have been based on a desire for greater environmental protection, CO2 reduction, energy conservation, and safety. In addition to furnace technology, innovations have also been introduced that automate feedstock kneading and granulation, saving on labour costs.

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

In the last couple of years, a developing global supply/demand squeeze in nylon 66 has led some engineering thermoplastic suppliers, compounders and distributors to be on the ready to address continued capacity constraints and higher prices with alternative engineering resins. Chief among these options are nylon 6, PBT, and high-performance nylons like PPAs, as well blends containing increased recycle content. While there are varying projections, most sources anticipate the nylon 66 tightness to continue through to at least part of 2020.

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.

Greater China has a lot of plastic injection moulding companies, meaning there are also quite a few corresponding injection moulding tooling factories. Although the tooling used for MIM and plastic injection moulding are different, a ‘general’ injection moulding tooling factory may still have experience manufacturing some sets of MIM tools. Moreover, these factories can quickly learn the specific manufacturing expertise needed for MIM tools, and expand production.

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

Material availability and cost concerns in the household-appliances market led Lanxess to evaluate alternative materials with a customer producing oven handles in a 30% glass-filled nylon 66. In this case, after understanding the part load and impact requirements, Lanxess suggested a nylon 6 with 30% fiberglass and glass beads. The part passed all dimensional, load and impact requirements, and also had the advantage of improved appearance.

HP’s Metal Jet has undergone significant refinement in the years since it was first unveiled in 2018. Now, by incorporating nearly the whole Bind...»

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.

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.

The dissemination of knowledge is crucial when considering whether a new technology can be adopted by a region. I joined the MIM industry in 1991, one afternoon during the first week of my master’s degree, and, after thirty years in the field, I have come up with a list of the three most respected educators from Greater China who have played a key role in nurturing and developing the talent that enabled the industry’s success.

Reshoring and foreign direct investment (FDI) in the third quarter marked their highest ever level, eclipsing the previous record set in the second quarter of 2022.

They also touted their long-established strategy of Zytel “Global Grades”—products made to uniform recipes and specifications at the company’s global locations, which allows for backup from alternate sources. They noted that they have developed a flexible network of suppliers for the key raw materials to ensure they are not dependent on a single upstream asset in any of their product lines.  Still, added one company source, “It’s possible that supply will be tight for the next year or two. We have not seen a situation as acute and long-lasting as this has been.”

The localisation of MIM equipment production began in about 2011 and hasn’t stopped since. More than five generations of batch vacuum sintering and debinding furnaces were developed in only a decade. The invention of oxalic acid catalytic debinding by Shenzhen SinterZone technology Co., Ltd. in 2014 was a big step towards reducing the environmental impact of the MIM debinding process. Ningbo HIPER Vacuum Technology Co., Ltd. advanced its batch vacuum sintering furnace technology to six-zone temperature control. Continuous sintering furnaces have also been manufactured for five years by Hiper and SinterZone.

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.

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

Sources at DowDupont, while acknowledging a temporary tightness in the nylon 66 supply chain, report that they have maintained an uninterrupted supply of nylon products and remain confident in their ability to continue supplying long-term customers with Zytel nylon 66 resins. They noted that the company is the only major nylon 66 supplier with world-scale polymerization and compounding in North America, Europe and Asia.

A key criterion for selecting a material in the E/E market, particularly for small parts such as connectors, is cycle time. Chirino said Lanxess has seen increased interest in its Pocan XF (eXtreme Flow) PBT and PBT blends. These reportedly have shrinkage and mechanical properties very similar to nylon 66; but because of the low viscosity, these PBTs can be molded at lower temperatures, reducing cooling time in injection molding, which has led to 15% shorter cycles in some cases.

According to Wilson, Solvay already has several active developments underway to help customers convert to other resins in the company’s portfolio. “Typically, nylon 66 users try to substitute with products based on PP, nylon 6, or PBT. If these polymers cannot meet the technical requirements, or if costly retooling is required, they then turn to high-performance nylons such as our Omnix HPPA, Ixef PARA, or Amodel PPA.” He added that there are several advantages to moving up the performance pyramid from nylon 66 with such materials. Parts can often be made with thinner walls and therefore use less resin making parts lighter with an overall lower cost and without the need for new or modified tooling. Wilson noted that the surge in nylon 66 pricing has significantly narrowed the price gap versus high-performance engineering resins.

One could be mistaken for thinking that the materials used by MIM today are based on quite long-established specifications such MPIF Standard 35. Don’t overlook the fact that, historically, industrial powder production had never been able to atomise high percentages of d50 < 15 µm fine powder. The production of MIM grade powders is as high as ever. At least ten powder manufacturers in China produce more than 2,500 tons of MIM powder a year – there is even one small factory with a single atomiser, yet it can also produce 250 tons of MIM powder a year. This easy sourcing of raw materials has therefore also been a major boost for MIM’s development.

Westfall Technik has adopted Arkestro’s predictive procurement software to wring savings and more reliable deliveries from a historically challenging supply chain.

Arnite PBT was cited as suitable for electrical and lighting applications such as connectors, lighting frame bezels and LED components, as it demonstrates excellent electrical properties, good dimensional stability, and high specific stiffness. Some grades are optimized to meet the toughest outgassing requirements at up to 392 F.

Extensive MIM, CIM industry and sinter-based AM industry news, plus the following exclusive deep-dive articles and reports:

For cases where parts are exposed to demanding loads in hot air, such as charge-air ducts or parts where there is a lot of wear and friction, Szendro noted Ultramid Advance PPA grades, which boast both hydrolysis and chemical resistance plus excellent dimensional stability. Additional opportunities are in demanding engine-cooling applications and thermostat housings

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.

For applications where parts are exposed to demanding loads in hot air such as charge-air ducts, BASF offers Ultramid Advance PPA.

A technical session, comprising three papers, at the Euro PM2021 Virtual Congress, organised by the European Powder Metallurgy Association (EPMA) a...»

For flame-retardant applications, Lanxess has positioned its new Pocan BFN2502 unfilled, halogen-free PBT to replace halogen-free, unfilled nylon 66.

While the nylon 66 tightness may not prove long-lasting, resin suppliers, compounders, and distributors have mobilized to offer processors an array of ‘replacement’ materials.

Feedback from nylon 66 customers concerned about long-term fatigue if they switch to an alternative, encouraged Lanxess to develop the new Durethan-Performance “P” nylon 6 compounds. They boast improved fatigue properties and perform considerably better than standard nylon 66 grades. For example, in a fatigue screening test at 248 F, new 30% glass-filled Durethan BKV30PH2.0 reportedly withstood almost 10 times more test cycles than standard 30%-glass nylon 66.

By the end of 2021, countries around the world will begin a new wave of energy regulation. This gives the MIM industry a powerful business opportunity as a relatively energy-efficient manufacturing process. MIM is highly flexible and offers many advantages for small parts manufacturing, especially in comparison to processes with high energy consumption and a negative environmental impact, such as die casting, lost-wax casting (investment casting), traditional casting, forging, etc (Fig. 9).

● Lanxess: Chirino gave some examples of specific replacement applications and newly developed materials to compete with nylon 66. The company supported a customer producing a shifter box in 30% glass-filled nylon 66 by showing that the mechanical properties of the component and the dimensions of the part would be the same if a 35% glass-filled nylon 6 was used. In this case, a 5% increase in glass content overcame the concerns of dimensional and mechanical performance—all while using the existing tooling.

Today, a record number of rapid tooling producers exist with the ability to complete a set of four-cavity moulds within seven days, in order to provide prototypes to customers. Perhaps this is the main reason why the MIM industry does not use additively manufactured rapid prototypes. Many tooling factories in Greater China already operate highly efficient and automated ‘lights out’ production – this is a real enabler of the fast delivery times offered by the MIM industry.

With the support of these R&D programmes, great progress has been made in basic research, from alloy selection, to binder design, fundamental process research and so on. The success of this basic research has established a substantial foundation for the rapid development of China’s MIM industry.

Although MIM technology has only existed for around half a century, it has been promoted in Greater China since 1985. The fortuitous combination of the many events and circumstances presented here has resulted in the Chinese MIM industry accounting for half of the world’s production. What is clear is that well-funded R&D centres, connected to industry by high-profile ‘technology champions’, all operating within a defined strategic national framework, can result in what, by any standards, is a major success story.

The rise of MIM technology can be viewed in parallel to the rise of smartphones. With perhaps the same global impact as the adoption of fire, smartphones have changed human civilisation. They allow unprecedented information transmission and clearer, more widespread communication than ever before. Of course, this universal electronic device needs to be strong, functional and aesthetically appealing. MIM products provided the necessary structural strength for this whilst having the desired aesthetically appealing appearance (Figs. 6–8).

While PolyOne has seen few customers making a switch from nylon 66, they are increasingly asked for market data, price forecasts, and details on supply constraints.

In mainland China, there are two major triangular economic zones – the Pearl River and the Yangtze River deltas. Together, these are home to almost the entire capacity of Chinese manufacturing. Within the Pearl River Delta, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) represents nine cities from the Guangdong province, as well as the entirety of the Macau and Hong Kong regions (Fig. 1). This is the world’s most populous bay area – greater than San Francisco, New York, and Tokyo – and alone represents one of the largest economies in the world. The GBA hosts the greatest number of MIM plants in Greater China.

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

BASF, meanwhile, is committed to the nylon 66 market, as it continues to see significant global growth potential, according to Mark Szendro, marketing director for performance materials transportation in North America. “We are continuously pursuing all options to source products along the nylon 66 value chain. However, the reality is that demand is outstripping supply and this will continue for the next several years. This is why BASF is investing in the future with our planned acquisition of Solvay’s polyamide business. The purchase would strengthen BASF’s polyamide 66 value chain through increased polymerization capacities and backward integration into the key raw material ADN.”  He added that BASF recognizes the need to pursue alternative materials in the interim and is working closely with customers to identify specific applications that could use alternative materials such as nylon 6, PBT or PPA.

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

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.

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 early 2008 in China, a severe winter blizzard paralysed transportation and affected hundreds of millions of people preparing to return home for the Chinese New Year. The weather also worsened the ongoing economic depression at that time, as workers were left unable to return to their workplaces. Following this crisis, the Chinese government began to focus on the improvement and construction of the country’s transportation infrastructure – power networks, communications, roads, railways, and water supply. After ten years of construction, the foundations of the relevant transportation systems had been transformed. Connected with this, the MIM industry found the opportunity to benefit not only from increased government funding, leading to rapid adoption by a variety of sectors, but it also directly benefited from the new, faster, more efficient transportation networks.

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

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

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.

Added Steve Bowen, president of PolyOne’s PlastiComp business: “The supply of nylon 66 has been tightening for over a year, which has required close management to ensure there are no supply disruptions for us. Our long-term partnerships with key suppliers are helping us navigate during this critical period. We have been able secure sufficient nylon 66 material necessary to maintain our core business while also growing some additional segments.”

For electrical and lighting applications such as connectors, housings for electrical control units, and sensors, where better dimensional stability is a requirement, Szendro cited Ultradur PBT grades.

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.

Of course, it is not always ‘plain sailing’: equipment manufacturers are working day and night, both to fulfil equipment orders and develop new equipment, and many MIM factories use the current intermittent power supply situation to complete customer orders – including the author himself, as I write this manuscript. Welcome to Greater China and its MIM family!

● Celanese Engineered Polymers: Last year, the company acquired Italy’s Nylit Plastics, a producer of high-performance nylon resins and compounds, with a specialty in nylon 66. Jeff Helms, global automotive sales director for engineered materials at Celanese, says the firm has customers strongly considering switching to nylon 6 when the parts can function properly at slightly lower temperature limits and with slightly higher moisture uptake. Celanese is also positioning recycled nylon 66, nylon 6 and post-industrial resin (PIR) offerings.

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

While many people still don’t know MIM by name, its products have followed people into their smartphones, cars and domestic appliances. MIM technology is a multi-step combination of traditional industrial technologies. Each step requires careful learning, observation, recording and operation. Due to its unique human resources and the nature of business in Greater China, the MIM industry has been able to adapt itself into just what its customers need.

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

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.

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.

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.

A different take comes from Alex Fung, president of resin distributor Conventus Polymers: “Customers are concerned that this could continue into 2020. Customers continue to see repeated price increases on nylon 66 and even nylon 6. Sure, there are alternative resins to use such as PBT or nylon 6, but nylon 66 offers a unique combination of properties and value that may make it difficult to replace, so you’ll want make sure you account for these differences. There is no free lunch in plastics.” Fung maintained that the company’s extensive experience in dealing with these kind of supply issues, led it to buy ahead. “We have ample inventory of nylon 6 and nylon 66 grades, so we are welcoming prospective customers.”

A sampling of these and other engineering thermoplastics suppliers, compounders and distributors were asked to weigh in, both on their view of the constrained resin situation and their readiness to assist customers with alternative materials where feasible. Nearly all concede that the automotive sector posed the most concern due to the many applications for which nylon 66 is specified and because specification of any replacement cannot occur overnight.

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

Prof Shun-Tian Lin (Fig. 4) teaches in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Taiwan University of Science and Technology. He returned to Taiwan from the United States in 1991 to promote the MIM of iron, stainless steel, copper and carbides, as well as ceramics. My master’s and PhD courses were guided by Prof Lin. His highest achievement is bridging the gap between PIM research and industry. Using his in-depth knowledge of a wide range of materials, he has guided many companies in Greater China to successfully integrate MIM and CIM technology into their products.

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.

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.

In addition to nylon 6 for industrial and automotive applications such as underhood parts, PolyOne’s PlastiComp business is also offering blends of nylon 6 and nylon 66 in long-fiber formulations.

Although industry sources concede that several nylon 66 component manufacturers and end-use OEMs are evaluating alternative materials, actual replacement to date appears to have been quite limited. One reason, according to Chris Wilson, v.p. and head of crystalline business for Solvay Specialty Polymers, is that making a switch is no small feat. “Switching from nylon 66 to an alternative material is generally not as easy as just dropping a new resin into the machine. Oftentimes, potential impacts on dimensions, part features or the performance of the part need to be considered. Choosing a supplier that can provide technical and application development support should be part of the decision as well.”

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.

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

Some sources contacted opted to give a brief summary of materials they are offering as nylon 66 replacements when warranted.  Others provided a more comprehensive description of their alternative materials for specific applications:

A collaboration between show organizer PLASTICS, recycler CPR and size reduction experts WEIMA and Conair recovered and recycled all production scrap at NPE2024.

Solvay’s Wilson said the nylon 66 supply tightness has opened their eyes to a risk they previously had not seen. “I think the industry had taken it for granted that there would be an unlimited supply of nylon 66, and this thinking has now clearly shifted. An automotive customer commented to me that until the situation is resolved they are actively steering development projects away from nylon 66 and into other resins, even if it requires some part redesign.”

In terms of technical contribution, Prof Hwang was the one who advocated ASTM F75 alloys for smartphones; this alloy has since been used in the camera frames of over 500 million smartphones since 2016. He has published two textbooks, Powder Metallurgy (3rd ed.) and Metal Injection Molding (2nd ed.), both of which are widely used in industry and academia. However, he has often said that, while we can record our knowledge in such books, we should better appreciate the real-world skills, know-how and experiences which are key to making things happen and keeping the MIM industry strong and vibrant.