THE Gold Pack Awards programme is designed to showcase the very best of the packaging industry. With the introduction of the AfriStar Awards as a part of this programme, the awards are now an international celebration and showcase for packaging across the African continent. Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals were awarded to the top three… Read more »
IN A significant step toward enhancing the productivity and quality standards in South Africa’s plastics industry, Plastics SA will play a pivotal role in managing the Quality and Productivity Improvement (Kaizen™) project. This milestone project is a result of a collaboration between the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Trade, Industry, and… Read more »
MASTERBATCH SA, South Africa’s leading manufacturer and supplier of the complete range of masterbatches, is celebrating its 25th birthday. “We are incredibly proud to be celebrating Masterbatch SA’s 25th anniversary and extend our heartfelt thanks to the MBSA team, customers and suppliers for their unwavering dedication, belief and support,” said MBSA managing director Anthony van… Read more »
HAMMARSDALE-based radial truck tyre recycler, Mathe Group, has received a new Waste Management License for a new R65 million plus tyre recycling facility which will be positioned alongside its already highly successful existing operation. CEO of Mathe Group and sister company, Van Dyck, Dr Mehran Zarrebini, says that negotiations with a potential funder are well under… Read more »
WITH one-in-five vehicles on South African roads fitted with locally produced Dunlop tyres, the tyre manufacturer is forging ahead with a multi-billion rand investment project backed by its Japan-based parent company, Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI). This is set to boost local tyre production capacity as more OEMs look to domestic tyre producers to meet their… Read more »
CAPITALWORKS Investment Partners, a leading private equity partner of South African entrepreneurs and management teams, has acquired a significant minority stake in Continental Compounders and Continental Engineering Compounds. This investment is there to support a growth orientated phase in Continental’s trajectory. Continental is the largest polymer compounder in Sub-Saharan Africa. From its two manufacturing facilities… Read more »
BANBURY Colour & Dosing Solutions has adjusted its business model in response to market conditions which has seen it open an office in Botswana and move its Johannesburg office to smaller premises with key staff operating independently in a move that is enabling it to service customers more rapidly. The company’s main focus currently is… Read more »
AQUAMARK Holdings of Cape Town has over the past two decades transitioned from being a design studio to full-on production. MD Gary Crawford started out as a designer working on the development of a variety of products with production being contracted out but, almost by coincidence, he’s gravitated towards design of products for shower enclosures…. Read more »
SAPRO also launches Platinum Design Award THE 2023 edition of SAPRO’s Recycled Product Awards programme reached its conclusion at a glittering gala event at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town on 21 September, which was apt – recyclers seldom find themselves in plush surrounds. Hats off to the five Gold, five Silver, four Bronze,… Read more »
A&E NEL Plastics has recently installed a number of Taili small injection moulding machines and expressed satisfaction with the machines’ ability to “punch above their weight”. “The Taili machines won’t stand back for any machine in the small size category, not even the top machines from Germany,” said Anton Nel of A&E, based in Stikland… Read more »
Peace of mind gained, transmits to employees too COMPLAINING, as most of you by now know, doesn’t help, and complaining about Eskom really doesn’t help. In the current electricity supply situation, the urge to complain belies a deadly scenario where businesses can falter and fail. Failure to act and source alternative power supply is resulting… Read more »
Little-known nepheline syenite and aluminum trihydrate offer unique features ORCHEM group has extended its supply operation with a number of specialty materials added to its range since joining the Reda Chemicals group in 2018, the little-known nepheline syenite and aluminum trihydrate being standout examples of this. These materials, which few outside of the loop will… Read more »
New distribution partnership will offer SA customers quick, easy and reliable access to Scott Bader products SCOTT Bader South Africa has entered into a new partnership with Allied Fibreglass for the distribution of its composite and adhesive products for the Western Cape in South Africa. Established in 1974, Allied Fibreglass is a reputable and trusted… Read more »
Supports problem-solving abilities for customers, enables greater cost savings and improved efficiency NAMPAK, Africa’s largest packaging company, has invested in a state-of-the-art scanning electron microscope (SEM). The newly acquired microscope is housed at the company’s Research & Development division in Cape Town. “We made the investment at the end of last year and are already… Read more »
Plastics sector in Latin America constitutes roughly 4% of worldwide production. LATIN America is a region with significant potential for the plastic manufacturing industry, with Brazil being the largest producer of plastics in the region. The region’s growth is attributed to increasing demand for plastic products in various sectors such as packaging, construction, and automotive…. Read more »
Plastics objects that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing Egyptian-Canadian industrial designer Karim Rashid presented an eye-opening lecture on innovation and design in the plastics industry at the 3rd World Plastic Connection Summit in Brazil. “I love being back in São Paulo, this amazing city and watching how much they invest in technologies for converted… Read more »
A great showcase for the Brazilian converted plastics industry ONE of the highlights during the 3rd World Plastic Connection Summit in Brazil was the launch of the international ‘Color Trend 2024’, created to serve plastics industry professionals in Brazil and worldwide. Under the creative direction of the renowned artist and product designer, Jum Nakao, and… Read more »
Innovation, design, and sustainability are the keystones. THE World Plastic Connection Summit held in São Paulo, Brazil, from 21-24 August was without a doubt a truly international event, presenting the Brazilian converted plastic industry to the world – and SA Polymer Technology’s editor, Tessa O’Hara, was there. This third edition of the event, organised by… Read more »
New plant to recycle around 60000 tons of PET bottle material a year PACKAGING and recycling specialist Alpla is building a state-of-the-art recycling plant in the South African coastal town of Ballito, north of Durban. The plant, with an output of 35,000 tonnes of recycled PET material, marks the company’s entry into the African recycling… Read more »
Project partners in Sweden, Norway, South Africa and Kenya AGAINST the backdrop of green and sustainable solutions in the blue economy, Catchgreen, a cross-sector collaborative research project that aims to address ghost fishing by innovating a biodegradable alternative for fishing gear. Catchgreen covers the entire fishing gear production chain, from the development of a brand-new… Read more »
Business’ contribution to key segments remains robust IMCD South Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Netherlands headquartered group IMCD BV, has grown at least 10-fold since in 2006, when it first entered the South African market. Now with more than 150 employees, a head office and three laboratories in Johannesburg, branches in Durban and… Read more »
Boland recycler transitions to equipment supply WINELANDS Plastics & Imports of Worcester in the Western Cape has completed its biggest job to date, that of the supply of a complete recycling line to CRDC South Africa (Centre for Regenerative Design & Collaboration) which is processing substantial volumes of co-mingled plastic waste (resins 1-7) into an… Read more »
Reinvesting and expanding production at KZN plant SAPY, the colour, white, black and additive masterbatch manufacturer operating out of Hammarsdale in KZN, has emerged from the pandemic in a healthy position and is now reinvesting in order to reposition itself for further growth in both the masterbatch and multifilament PP yarn markets. It has commissioned… Read more »
Regional unit for direct sales, service and technical support THE Reifenhäuser Group, manufacturer of extrusion machinery and components, is repositioning itself in the Southern African region and has founded a new subsidiary in Durban. The new company, Reifenhäuser Southern Africa, started operating on 1 July, and will for the first time directly serve South Africa,… Read more »
R369 million invested into skills development initiatives WITH new technologies and production processes emerging globally in tyre production, the South African Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC), and its member companies, are investing heavily in skills development to ensure a pipeline of expertise is in place for future growth. Bridgestone South Africa, Continental Tyre South Africa, Goodyear… Read more »
SAFRIPOL has purchased a majority shareholding in Xuba Compounders, operating out of Krugersdorp. The purchase, from a group of private investors for an undisclosed sum, took place during 2022. The purchase forms part of Safripol’s polypropylene beneficiation plan where its aim is to add value and expand the use of Safripol’s base polymers to incorporate… Read more »
MYPLAS, Cape Town-based multi-material recycler, has started an operation in Minnesota, USA, where it is recycling shrink wrap films used to protect boats during winter. Myplas USA has been setting up its $24-million recycling plant in Rogers, Minnesota, over the past year. As many as 270 jobs could be created once the project is fully… Read more »
THE Leibniz-Institute for Polymer Research (IPF) in Dresden, Germany, and the Department of Chemistry and Polymer Science at Stellenbosch University (SU) have established a joint IPF-SU research group in polymer separation. The 20-member group, which now spans across Africa and Europe, is led by Prof Albena Lederer, head of the Centre for Macromolecular Structure Analysis… Read more »
PIMMS Group has invested heavily in its toolroom and service centre to ensure that it builds the highest quality injection moulding tools for its customers. Here we take a closer look at Pimms Group’s toolroom and service centre, how it acquired another well-known toolroom, and the innovative steps it is taking to drive excellence in… Read more »
AS ONE of South Africa’s only remaining tyre recycling operations, Mathe Group is not only dedicated to reducing the burgeoning number of waste tyres piling up, but also to developing innovative products that can contribute to the growth of the green economy and the creation of jobs. Mehran Zarrebini, CEO of Mathe Group and Van… Read more »
AE WIRING of Port Elizabeth, an international supplier and exporter of connectors to the automotive windscreen industry, has expanded its injection moulding capacity. With a product range exceeding 2,500 parts, most of which are small, AE Wiring operates a dynamic production schedule to supply the many parts required for the huge variety of windscreens on… Read more »
SAFRIPOL has launched its first rPET product Aspire®, containing post-consumer resin. The Aspire fast reheat resin offers excellent performance and is a high-quality thermoplastic material used for injection and stretch blow-moulding of bottles used for mineral water; carbonated soft drinks; fruit juice; dairy products; edible oils; and cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Other applications include sheet… Read more »
CRDC SA has tested various plastic waste streams at its pilot plant in Blackheath, Cape Town. This enabled CRDC SA to supply over 100 tons of RESIN8 to various concrete product manufacturers, external laboratories and universities for testing in concrete products. According to CRDC SA’s CEO, Abraham Avenant, a civil engineer with more than 25… Read more »
AERONTEC Composite Technology has made a substantial investment in foam cutting and finishing technology in order to support composite manufacturers, specifically the burgeoning boat-building sector. Aerontec, a leader in composite technology in Africa, recently unveiled its new foam cutting and processing equipment at an industry open day at its plant in Montague Gardens, Cape Town…. Read more »
ROEDIGER Agencies, the Stellenbosch laboratory specializing in comprehensive testing of polymer materials and products, has just completed its 30th year in operation, an achievement which has involved high commitment, intensive analysis and meticulous accuracy. At the outset in 1993, Dr Andy Roediger set up his company, Roediger Agencies. He had been lecturing in Polymer Chemistry… Read more »
ACD ROTOFLO is to build on expertise and momentum built up with its manufacture of roto moulding materials for the introduction of a new venture, Speciality Compounds, which is to manufacture and supply both masterbatches and pigments for the wider plastic industry. ACD Rotoflo group CEO Clive Robertson said the startup company would supply the… Read more »
DISPAK Industries group, through its subsidiary Waxpak of Johannesburg, has expanded into the Western Cape through its purchase of Peckpak GDK, a thermoforming business. The purchase is aligned with Dispak’s growth plans, both in the Western Cape and nationally. Peckpak GDK, which manufactures blister and clam packs as well as food packaging and point of… Read more »
In 2023, setting goals to net-zero emissions and carbon neutrality has become a part of leading brands’ strategies to fulfill their environmental commitments. To showcase and highlight how the industry is transitioning towards a circular economy, CHINAPLAS 2023, Asia’s No. 1 plastics and rubber trade fair, to be held from April 17 to 20, will… Read more »
ANCHOR CHEMICALS has made a substantial investment in South Africa in which it has consolidated its two manufacturing plants in KwaZulu-Natal in a greenfield project in Willowton in Pietermaritzburg where it has made provision for much of its electrical requirement itself. Anchor Chemicals took the decision two years ago to consolidate its production facility in… Read more »
DEMAPLASTECH, the Johannesburg-based equipment supplier, recently celebrated its 21st year in operation. From small beginnings, the company has proved to be one of the most consistently reliable plastics processing machinery suppliers in the SA market: it has stuck with the machine brands it has supplied over the past two decades-plus as well as retained the… Read more »
THE 27th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27) held in Egypt, once again placed a strong emphasis on climate change and the importance of making the shift from pledging to implementing transitionary plans. In his speech delivered at the UN Climate Change Conference 2022, President Cyril Ramaphosa… Read more »
BORDIC, an established supplier of a wide range of plastic films and paper stock as well as plastic and paper labelling materials, has diversified its business model and entered the polymer supply sector. This was a logical step for the supplier as it was already servicing many film convertors across the southern Africa region and… Read more »
BERRY Global’s unique CleanStream® recycling technology, the first closed-loop system to mechanically process domestically recovered household waste polypropylene (PP) back into food-grade packaging, has been granted a Letter of No Objection (LNO) from the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The LNO confirms that the post-consumer recycled (PCR) PP produced by the CleanStream process can… Read more »
ZIBO Containers is busy with one of the biggest plastics recycling projects to date in South Africa, that of the commissioning and trialing of a washplant to clean PET thermoformed containers – with the aim of reusing the resulting rPET in the production of food-grade thermoformed packaging containers. By late-November Zibo an estimated 6-8 tons… Read more »
PIMMSA Group has experienced significant growth over the last two years and, with its acquisition of pharmaceutical packaging brand Medena, has established a cleanroom facility offering in-mould labelling and product printing. The organisation, a plastic product manufacturer focusing on innovative, high-quality products, has also expanded into three IMM plants, built a larger and dedicated toolroom… Read more »
THE Centre for Regenerative Design & Collaboration (CRDC) is building a new upscaled RESIN8 plant in Cape Town, which will be the first of its kind in Africa, following recent plant openings in Costa Rica and an upcoming factory launch in York, Pennsylvania. The goal is to complete the construction phase before the year-end and… Read more »
KZNR has been appointed as the official distributer of Ineos Composites for the Derakane™ range of vinyl esters, unsaturated polyester resins and gelcoats products for the sub-Saharan and Indian Ocean Islands region Acknowledged worldwide as a leader in corrosion-resistant resins for the composites market, the Derakane™ range offers high resistance to oxidizing acids and solvents… Read more »
ATLANTIC Plastics Recycling (APR) recently commissioned the Intarema RegrindPro 1108TVE Plus, the latest technology from Erema, with Counter Current, Smart Start and EcoSAVE technology, successfully implementing Phase 1 of APR’s re-investment strategy. This is in alignment with APR’s renewed vision of being a key strategic recycling partner in the South African plastics industry, adding value… Read more »
In the presence of the South African Environment Minister, the ALPLA Group opened a state-of-the-art production site in Lanseria near Johannesburg. In the new headquarters for Sub-Saharan Africa, the internationally active plastic packaging specialist is merging five previous locations in South Africa under one roof. All ALPLA technologies, processes and materials are combined in the… Read more »
BILL Lee – aka ‘Mr. Ultrasonics’ – has over the past 47 years solved just about every plastics joining problem presented … except one, that of finding a lasting succession plan for his company, W Lee-Ultraplast. However, a solution recently arose when Craig Parkes, after five years at the Devland, Johannesburg, company succeeded in meeting… Read more »
OKE South Africa, the local business of the German multi-national group, has successfully completed the integration of the Cape companies it purchased over the past few years and is expanding supply into a number of sectors in SA from its new resettled platform. OKE purchased Viking Plastics, a Cape Town injection moulding business in 2014,… Read more »
PACKAGING World of Durban has shown impressive 0-100 acceleration in the print area since its decision to start printing in mid-2017 – and we’re talking here about speeds not often seen in the industry to date. It has since commissioned an additional laminator and two printers and has another printer on the water. Each of… Read more »
A LOT of people, here and around the world, say a polymer plant that is 50 years or older is dated and should be replaced, but you won’t be hearing that from Safripol, one of South Africa’s leading polymer manufacturer, which celebrates the 50th anniversary of its entry to the polymer supply business this year…. Read more »
RUBBER Products & Mouldings of Cape Town has started a polyurethane casting plant, a move which has required intensive training as well as extending its plant by taking on additional factory space. Sue Supasar and Wayne Tozer, partners at RPM, believe it’s worth “doing it right the first time” and so invested in high-tech casting… Read more »
Ferro Coating Resins (Pty) Ltd, Ferro Dispersions (Pty) Ltd and NCS Resins (Pty) Ltd, all Bud Group companies have taken the strategic decision to merge and form a unified business entity under the NCS South Africa banner. Based in KZN, NCS South Africa is now one of the largest manufacturers servicing the composites, coatings and… Read more »
FLOWLINE, a manufacturer of acid resistant lining systems for the mining and industrial sectors, has been purchased by Urethane Moulded Products in what is effectively a new venture as UMP has invited on board a BEE partner, Harry Mashaba, who now has a majority stake in the company. Flowline has been in operation for over… Read more »
CONTINENTAL Engineering Compounds successfully concluded the commissioning of a R25-million investment in its Pinetown production facility in September this year. The new line provides the ability to produce highly filled concentrates using the most up to date technology available globally. The focus of this site is to produce engineered compounds for both the industrial and… Read more »
JENS Eichhoff has started Cast It Mould & Tool in Benoni, a business specialising in the production of cast aliminum moulds for the roto moulding sector. The venture is basically a direct descendant of Castec, the company of the late Mike Herald who for close to 40 years set the standard in South Africa for… Read more »
IN THIS latest Way2K interview conducted by the VDMA in the lead-up to the K2022 trade show in Dusseldorf, Germany in October, Ulrich Reifenhäuser, CSO of Reifenhäuser Group talks about the need for a plastics industry that is fit for the demands of the future. What problems does the plastics industry face today? In… Read more »
WRAPETFILL, the integrated consultancy/machinery/material supply business, has noticed some new opportunities for the plasma treatment systems from Delta Engineering of Belgium, which it represents. Delta’s plasma systems offer improved efficiency with reduced costs compared to technology used in South Africa to date. Delta Engineering is primarily a downstream automation company for container producers, offering standard… Read more »
ECO Tanks, the national roto moulded tank manufacturer, was the joint sponsor of the recent SA National Acrobatic Championships … along with who else but Red Bull. You need horns … I mean wings … to do this sort of thing, although maybe not a helluva lot more than you do to be a tank… Read more »
CAPE roto moulder 4EVR took centre stage at the prestigious Red Dot Design Awards in Germany in June when it won a top award for its new EdgeOut camper-trailer. Designed and manufactured in South Africa, the EdgeOut camper-trailer is a world-first roto moulded solution suitable for use on tar and gravel roads, with just one… Read more »
PLASTIC and Chemical Trading (PC&T) now offers an active and tailored service to all users of Mold-Masters hot-runners in South Africa. PC&T was recently appointed as the agent for Canadian-based Mold-Masters, which manufactures plastic processing equipment and systems, specifically hot-runners, temperature controllers and auxiliary injection and co-injection machines. “We want to offer an active and… Read more »
STATISTICS from South Africa’s longest-standing plastics producer responsibility organisation indicate that the country’s PET plastic recycling rates are recovering after the lockdown regulations resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. According to figures released at the PET Recycling Company’s (PETCO) annual general meeting in June, 2.1 billion PET bottles were diverted from landfill last year thanks to… Read more »
ZARCAPLAS, a new injection moulding business operating out of Blackheath in the Western Cape, went into operation in 2019 in most unexpected circumstances, and just in time for the lockdown – which would have killed off most start-up ventures right there. The fact that Zarcaplas even got off the ground is testament to skills learned… Read more »
Roediger Agencies in Stellenbosch, a dedicated testing laboratory service for polymers, recently invested a six-figure sum in LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Analysis) testing equipment. For the layperson, the LC-MS* is able to separate and identify larger particles in the material, whereas the Gas Chromatography Analysis** (GCMS), of which Roediger Agency has two, separates and… Read more »
Plastic and rubber machinery supply business Hestico is celebrating 60 years of active operation this year, almost certainly making it the oldest equipment supply business in the industry in South Africa. At the time of its founding in May 1962, the purchase of production machinery was a difficult undertaking for convertors since most of the… Read more »
Douw Steyn, sustainability manager at Plastics SA, recently completed his 25th year in the position, which milestone he celebrated quietly. We asked him what changes he’s observed with regards plastics in the environment over this period. How did you get involved at Plastics SA in the first place? Did you know anything about plastics at… Read more »
POLYMER scientists at Stellenbosch University have developed a novel method to break down lignin – a by-product in the paper manufacturing process – into valuable chemicals that can be used as raw materials in the chemical and polymer manufacturing industry. Lignin is one of the main components of trees and plants, but chemically it is… Read more »
IF YOU don’t know much about phenolics, you are not alone. The topic drew interest recently following West African Group’s acquisition of the distribution rights for phenolic resins in Southern Africa. This came about as a result of SI Group’s termination of production and supply of these materials in South Africa. SI Group, a global… Read more »
ECHA, the European Chemical Association, has recently promulgated regulations that TiO2 addition levels in powder mixtures above 1% carry specified warning labels, which regulation has since been included in the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) protocols in Europe. The European Commission classified TiO2 as a suspected carcinogen (cat 2.) by inhalation, limited to… Read more »
THE departure of Wirquin from Somerset East in late 2021 left a gaping hole in the economy of the Eastern Cape town, a gap which local hydraulics and injection moulding company Hyco Enterprises has partly filled, in the process providing work for at least some of the 120-plus who lost their jobs as well as… Read more »
AS companies navigate the new mandatory extended producer responsibility (EPR) landscape, a leading recycler in the plastics value chain has revealed the unexpected ease in managing its new reporting and compliance requirements as a producer. One of the biggest recyclers of PET plastic bottles on the African continent, Extrupet, has been guided in its journey… Read more »
NO RISK, no gain. It’s really as simple as that in South Africa at present, there is just no rescue net for entrepreneurs who venture forth and as a result for most of these people failure is just not an option. That is certainly the case over at Rubber Products & Mouldings in Maitland in… Read more »
SOUTH Africans are gearing up for an exciting rugby season in 2022. After two years of limited games and spectator participation due to Covid-19, faithful supporters around the country cannot wait to get back into stadiums to show their support for their teams participating in the various local and international rugby matches that will be… Read more »
NCS Resins launched the Earthkind platform in February 2021 to proactively respond to the demand for sustainable solutions that is lacking in the resins market sector. The company has since embarked on a journey to incorporate as many of the UNIDO sustainable development goals into the Earthkind platform. “This requires a major shift… Read more »
BOWLER group has completed its purchase of Skye Plastics of Johannesburg, creating a new expanded entity that will have the capacity and skills to set the benchmark for a one-stop-shop for exceptional service and quality in the small to medium sized rigid plastic packaging manufacture in Southern Africa. Bowler group operates several production units around… Read more »
THE South African plastics industry has distanced itself from a Durban-based plastic bag manufacturer who allegedly siphoned off millions of Rands from the plastic bag tax levy. According to a newspaper article (“Plastics bag tax scam”, Sunday Times, 26 March) the company in question has been providing plastic bags to major retailers around the country…. Read more »
Benjamin Von Wong, 35, is a Canadian artist, activist, and photographer best known for his environmental art installations and hyper-realist art style. He is a motivational speaker and an advocate against Ocean Plastics, and is also notable for creating several viral social media campaigns. When Tomra wanted to make recycling interesting, Von Wong created a… Read more »
THE OECD’s first Global Plastics Outlook: Economic Drivers, Environmental Impacts and Policy Options report, published in February, offers for the first time a comprehensive overview of current plastics production, use and waste generation, together with an assessment of the underlying economic drivers. The report also maps the related environmental impacts on a global level such… Read more »
THIRSTI, a manufacturer of mineral water and related beverages in KZN, where it taps into an extremely pure water source from the Drakensberg mountains, has opened a plant in the Western Cape. The choice of Tulbagh for its second plant followed an extensive search for a similarly pure water source that led Thirsti personnel to… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA), supported by members of the Global Vinyls Council (GVC), has rejected the Phase 1 list of “problematic and unnecessary plastics” published recently by the SA Plastics Pact. This list advocates for these plastics in packaging to be phased out by members by the end of 2022 as part of… Read more »
WINNERS of the 2021 South African Small Business Awards were announced in November last year, and among the Top 20 was colour compounding and milling company, Kainotomia Polymers. Kainotomia Polymers was judged and selected from hundreds of entries to rank among the top 20 small businesses in South Africa. Kainotomia Polymers was thanked for “its… Read more »
CYPET Technologies, European manufacturer of PET injection stretch blow moulding machines, is about to change the global Intermediate Bulk Container (IBC) market. Using its extensive injection stretch blow moulding experience for large PET containers and following an intensive development programme, CYPET is extending its technology to stretch-blow-mould 1 000 litre IBC bottles from PET. CYPET is… Read more »
AERONTEC, supplier and distributor of composite materials and technology in South Africa, celebrates its 20th anniversary in February. With its head office in Cape Town and branches in Gauteng and Jeffreys Bay, the company has evolved to become one the most respected in the composites arena, locally and globally. The company’s growth and success over… Read more »
Doyen of the South African plastics industry, Annabe Pretorius, has joined Plastics SA as Executive: Technical Operations. Together with essential staff, her task will be to gather information and turn it into useful tools to assist the plastics industry to become economically and environmentally sustainable. Annabe’s involvement in the SA plastics industry has spanned more… Read more »
BECAUSE of various challenges and obstacles the past financial year was not an easy one for the local plastics industry, admitted Plastics SA Executive Director, Anton Hanekom, at the association’s AGM in November. “Factors such as the ongoing loadshedding, water shortages, political unrest and impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of our… Read more »
A HUMBLE supermarket trolley has been crowned the Best Recycled Product of the Year at the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation’s biennial competition, which took place on 14 October 2021. Manufactured by Supercart SA for Pick n Pay and entered for the Consumer & Leisure category, the trolley is moulded in HDPE and comprises of… Read more »
FRESH from the fiasco of its venture into PET recycling, Mpact Group is involved in further major expansion of its plastics business with a sizeable chunk of that going into recycling, now for polyolefins. In this case the vehicle for the expansion is Mpact Plastic Containers (MPC), which is a separate business within the Mpact… Read more »
THERE may be some confusion about the origins of the name of the company Fenix Rising, but there’s no doubt about its intentions, it literally is rising from the ashes of a failed business venture. Fenix is a Cape Town-based multi-channel roto supply business which, besides manufacturing roto powders as well as its own roto machines,… Read more »
INTRA-AFRICA trade specialist Safrique of Johannesburg is celebrating its 25th year of doing business across the continent. Cross-border trade is difficult on most continents, and in Africa the challenges are possibly even greater, but Safrique has survived and thrived during this period, with Merwyn Moodley and Safrique’s team of traders having literally crisscrossed the continent… Read more »
INNOVATIVE technology to track, trace and record the trading in recyclable materials is being rolled out across South Africa. The move is set to empower recycling SMMEs, strengthen the value chain and promote the economic inclusion of the informal sector. An innovative digital platform called BanQu will help buy-back centres accurately record and track their… Read more »
S & N RUBBER of Port Elizabeth has purchased the sponge moulding and component production assets of Rubbertek of Durban. Established by the late Reg Connelly in the late ’80s, Rubbertek was involved in both rubber compounding and the production of rubber technical components, mainly by injection and compression moulding and sponge extrusion. It had… Read more »
THERE are few experiences for mould makers to top that of having a mould accepted at the initial mould trial. In most cases, minor adjustments need to be undertaken to meet the end user’s brief. The more complex the job is – the more satisfying this can be. For Wizard Tool & Die of Johannesburg,… Read more »
PERFORMANCE Colour Systems is pioneering micro-granule technology for use in colouring applications where only light colour tints are required. A main feature of this market is that, although addition levels are relatively low, many of the applications are in popular consumer products where on-going colour tint consistency is extremely necessary. Brand suppliers desire extremely minimal… Read more »
LEADING coex films manufacturer Nylopack has, in the quiet times that Covid induced, installed yet another big 5-layer Rajoo extrusion line. Continuing with its plant buildup since entering the multi-layer films sector in 2010, when the Nylopack partners bought the films business of Huhtamaki, the company has made successive investments in plant including the purchase… Read more »
SOUTH Africa’s first community polystyrene brick making factory using recycled polystyrene opened its doors in Atlantis outside of Cape Town in November 2021. The Khaya Khanya Atlantis Lightweight Concrete Factory is the first franchise of many that will be established in municipalities around South Africa over the next five years. The factory is expected to… Read more »
WHAT began as a small recycling effort in March 2007 has grown into Whole Earth Recycling, a sizeable recycling business that currently recycles over 120 tons of recyclable material every month – 13 789kg of that plastics during August, most of it clear PET. Whole Earth Recycling was founded in March 2007 on a farm in… Read more »
By BEVAN DAVIS, Managing Director, Conver-Tek I ASKED a highly respected, senior ex-Eskom engineer and power consultant to assess the risk of not converting my factory to a system totally independent of Eskom. Any 24-hour plastics manufacturer, whether they are doing injection moulding, blow moulding or extrusion or other process, needs a continuous process… Read more »
By Carolina Perujo Holland, Analyst, Plastic Recycling at Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS) WASTE management is currently one of the main challenges faced by the African recycled polymer supply chain. Population growth rates are over 2% per year and the consequent increase in consumption of plastics packaging makes this the largest fraction of waste after… Read more »
http://https://youtu.be/bm1rH70wfJo A nonprofit known as The Ocean Cleanup is continuing its mission of ridding the world of ocean plastic by catching garbage before it makes its way to the ocean. The organization has introduced new third-generation garbage Interceptors that it says can remove larger amounts of debris more efficiently and at a lower cost. The organization is installing the… Read more »
Envirolite is proof that polystyrene CAN be recycled – and even better, that any colour of polystyrene can be used. Envirolite work closely with waste management services across South Africa to divert polystyrene waste from landfill to be used in the manufacture of energy efficient walling and flooring products. Our vision is to turn the… Read more »
A smartphone that sets new standards for lightness, slim design and sustainability has made its debut on the market – the Carbon 1 MK II from Berlin-based start-up Carbon Mobile. “Designed and engineered in Germany, the Carbon 1 MK II reignites miniaturization and drives sustainability in connected devices by replacing plastics and aluminium with advanced… Read more »
THE largest, most advanced rover NASA has sent to another world, Perseverance — and one that is supported by numerous composite materials and structures — touched down on Mars on 18 February after a 203-day journey travelling 293 million miles (472 million kilometers). Packed with groundbreaking technology, the Mars 2020 mission was launched in July… Read more »
When looking to invest in composite materials, potential users may assume that the fibres that determine the material’s performance can only be structured in a certain way. This could ring especially true for those who are accustomed to working with isotropic structures, such as those that make up steel and aluminium, where the material has… Read more »
ALTHOUGH the seventh generation of the Porsche 911 GT3 has an increased front track of 4.8cm compared with its predecessor, the curb weight of the 2022 model is still a light 1 432kg, and only slightly heavier (1.8kg) than the previous generation (1 430kg). That weight increase would have been much greater if the company… Read more »
BASF says that its Ultramid Advanced polyphthalamide (PPA) range now includes carbon-fibre reinforced grades with fillings of 20, 30 and 40%. According to the company, the new materials are suitable for lightweight parts that can safely replace aluminum and magnesium without loss in stiffness and strength and are electrically conductive. The reinforced materials also have… Read more »
WILLIAMS Advanced Engineering in the UK introduced its FW-EVX electric vehicle (EV) platform in 2017, designed to give vehicle manufacturers a modular system with which to develop new vehicles. According to Composites World, WAE reports that it is applying this innovative modular platform for use in a series of EVs — sedans, sports cars, convertibles… Read more »
ROLLS-Royce has started building its first UltraFan prototype engine at its DemoWorks facility in Derby, UK, and is expected to complete the prototype by the end of the year. UltraFan, which the company says will be the world’s largest aero-engine and will contribute to sustainable air travel, features what will be the world’s largest fan… Read more »
SWISS company Decision SA, part of the leading European composites consortium, Carboman Group, and a specialist in the development, prototyping and production of large composite structures, has launched a new direct mould tooling technology for aerospace. Decision’s latest tooling solution provides OEMs and manufacturers with short lead times for highly stable direct moulds for series… Read more »
ORBITAL Composites based in the US, will collaborate with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine to advance on-site, high-throughput manufacturing of wind blades with large-scale continuous fibre additive manufacturing via a $4 million grant from the US Dept of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Orbital notes that… Read more »
THE love affair between plastics and design is nothing new. From their first appearance, designers started playing with them, happy to have found new materials that could keep up with all their creative fancies. That love affair shows no signs of fading, and eco-designers are now creating a new story for plastics. At a time… Read more »
IN 2019, plastic products that meet the ultimate test of value by making our lives better in some way were honoured by the Society of Plastics Engineers SPE in the USA. A panel of judges selected the winners of the 6th annual Plastics for Life™ Global Parts Competition from among a wide range of parts… Read more »
THE haptics and visual appearance of components in the car interior are becoming even more important. BASF is presenting innovative materials for premium and appealing surfaces to give the interior a distinctive look. With Ultramid® B3E2G6 SI BK23353 (image left) and Ultramid® B3E2G10 SI BK23353, a new generation of surface-improved structural materials is now available…. Read more »
IN 2021 care and respect are high on the agenda as we step out with a brighter attitude and deeper optimism for global change. As the world recovers from a fragile time of vulnerability people have an emerging confidence that positive choices can make a difference in our daily lives, with care and respect high… Read more »
INNOVATIVE insulating materials made of shape memory polymers are beeing developed and tested by the Fraunhofer Institutes for Applied Polymer Research IAP, for Chemical Technology ICT and for Building Physics IBP within the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Programmable Materials CPM. The high-tech foams are to be used as functional materials, for example in the field… Read more »
THE recycling of PET bottles has gained worldwide acceptance over the past 20 years and has become a model for the circular economy in plastics. This development has been driven forward by Erema’s bottle-to-bottle innovations. The Austrian recycling machine manufacturer has set new standards in this respect time and again, particularly with their Vacurema technology,… Read more »
AMCOR has adapted its leading-edge engineering and design technology to develop the lightest 900ml PET bottle for edible oil in Brazil. The custom- designed container for agribusiness and food producer Bunge, in São Paulo, is 22% lighter than competitive bottles while providing greater productivity and increased sustainability benefits. The new bottle for Bunge’s Oleo de… Read more »
THE collaboration between Xenia Materials and Vittoria Cycling Shoes started a few years ago, when Edoardo Vercelli sensed the possibility of substituting the prepreg epoxy matrix carbon – used in the high-quality cycling shoes’ soles – with XECARB® carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites. After winning in Grächen (CH) 2019, Leo Páez cycled to another outstanding… Read more »
THE Vekta aero-road bike is made using a specific lay-up process and 80% ultra-high modulus unidirectional carbon fibre. Reap Bikes, a UK-based manufacturer of carbon fibre bikes, has launched a new vehicle with a full monocoque frame and improved aerodynamics and stiffness. The Vekta aero-road bike is made using a specific lay-up process and 80%… Read more »
ONE of the world’s largest sportswear companies, ANTA collaborated with Teknor Apex to develop a high-dampening midsole construction incorporating Monprene® TPE for a new line of running shoes. The midsole is a thick layer between the insole and outsole that is typically composed of a soft cushioning material. The companies carried out 40 000 running… Read more »
WOODCAST is a lightweight biodegradable material made from wood and biopolymers, originally developed to replace the plaster casts traditionally used in hospitals. The material, invented by the Finnish high-tech company Onbone, proved to be so versatile that it is now used in a wide array of usage areas, one of them being sports. Injuries of… Read more »
COBRA International in Thailand, one of the world’s largest OEM manufacturers of composite goods for water sports, automotive, marine and civil engineering, is collaborating with Radinn to mass produce its new range of electric powered surfboards. Swedish innovators, Radinn, produce some of the fastest jetboards on the market. Originally launched in 2018, the production requirement… Read more »
UNILEVER’S oral care brands including Signal, Pepsodent and Closeup have plans to convert their entire global toothpaste portfolio to recyclable tubes by 2025. After four years of development, the recyclable tubes will be available later this year in two of Unilever’s biggest oral care markets: France and India. First launching in France with the company’s… Read more »
BECAUSE 23% of global energy consumption can be attributed to friction losses, components with reduced friction represent an important contribution to conserving resources and achieving climate protection targets. In the case of plastics, reduced friction can also reduce microplastics in the environment. With the development of microcapsules filled with liquid lubricants for plastics, the Potsdam… Read more »
COVESTRO has developed an innovative process for the chemical recycling of polyurethane (PU) flexible foam from used mattresses. On average, mattresses contain 15 to 20kg of foam, which results in a large amount of waste at the end of their useful life. The foam is primarily made of two important raw materials. While other chemical… Read more »
THE Coca-Cola Company will become a Global Implementation Partner for The Ocean Cleanup’s river project. The unique partnership brings the international company and technological non-profit together behind a clear objective: to stem the tide of plastic pollution entering the world’s oceans, by first intercepting waste in rivers. Partnering Coca-Cola’s scale and global network with The… Read more »
THE ALPLA Group, a global packaging producer and specialist in recycling, is consolidating its developments in relation to biodegradable packaging solutions under its new Blue Circle Packaging label. Home-compostable coffee capsules are the first product available on the market. Under the Blue Circle Packaging label, ALPLA will offer its customers packaging solutions that are all… Read more »
PROJECT STOP and its partners are celebrating milestones in preventing plastic leakage to the environment in Indonesia. From 2017 until end of 2020, the programme has brought waste management services to more than 133 500 people, built five material recovery facilities which will collectively process 150 tons of waste per day, and contributed to permanently preventing… Read more »
MICHELIN has successfully validated the use of Carbios’ enzymatic recycling technology for PET plastic waste in its tyres. Carbios confirms the potential of its recycled PET to address all types of applications – from bottles to clothing fibres and now technical fibres. The validation of Carbios’ technology in Michelin’s tests, marks a new step towards… Read more »
DOW and Empower, a Norwegian circular platform company which uses blockchain technology to track plastics waste, have launched a new study as part of an ongoing partnership, which will examine the feasibility of advancing fully circular value chains in Nigeria to help close the loop on plastics waste. The study, which will be part funded… Read more »
MATERIALS manufacturer Covestro has introduced its first material developed by the additive manufacturing business recently acquired from DSM: a glass-fibre filled recycled PET for 3D pellet printing. Made from post-consumer PET waste, Arnite® AM2001 GF (G) rPET fits Covestro’s vision for a circular economy. The glass-fibre filled pellet material brings structural performance to a part… Read more »
GROWTH in South Africa’s population and increased urbanisation has led to an increase in per capita waste generation. This places stress on current landfills and results in litter in the environment. As a pro-active response to the growing national concern around waste and its impact on society and the environment, South Africa recently published the… Read more »
PRECISION VALVE SA in Rosslyn established in 1968 and since then one of South Africa’s leading manufacturers of aerosol dispensing products, is living up to its status as a member of the international PRECISION Group by going, literally, global too. It has recently exported a number of containers of aerosol parts to back up the… Read more »
PRINCIPLE Plastics in Port Elizabeth has come up with a novel cooling solution for its fleet of injection moulding machines – by circulating water from its firefighting water storage tanks via a Plate Heat Exchanger system, to keep the moulding machines oil at optimum temperatures. The solution saves both water and energy costs. Principle is… Read more »
A GROUND-BREAKING trial that renders plastic bottles with self-adhesive labels fully recyclable promises positive spin-offs for the environment and plastic producers who have until November to comply with Section 18 of the National Environmental Management Waste Act. Until now, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles with adhesive labels have hampered South African recycling processes, because the… Read more »
SUSTAINABILITY runs through everything that Lee Barker does! The owner of three businesses, Lee recently moved her operations to Woodstock in Cape Town, where she has set up shop in a building she has called The Manufactorie – a place to play. Lee is the epitome of the saying “dynamite comes in small packages”. She… Read more »
EBOR East London, the second manufacturing unit in the Ebor group following the establishment of Ebor Automotive Systems in Port Elizabeth in 2014, has gone into operation at the East London IDZ. A major venture following the success of the group’s first venture in PE, Ebor EL has been set up specifically to supply first-tier… Read more »
INTRODUCING a new make of machine (into any country) is always a difficult undertaking, not just for the machine manufacturer – it’s a challenge too for the machine supplier and for the first customers. By now skepticism about Chinese injection moulding machine has faded to a distant murmur, although it wasn’t so at first. In… Read more »
CABLETECH Marketing, suppliers of solutions to the South African plastic’s industry since 1976, and proudly associated with Haitian International, has added Haitian’s Hision CNC range to the already very successful Haitian injection moulding machine range. The VMC series machines was specifically built for the mould making industry and features Hision’s own 12 000rpm BT40 spindle, Fanuc… Read more »
SAFRIPOL, which operates HD and PP manufacturing plants in Sasolburg and a PET plant in Durban, has for long been one of South Africa’s most reliable material suppliers, but the second half of 2020 saw a number of supply interruptions. We asked chief operating officer at Safripol, Nico van Niekerk, what happened? SAPT: Nico, you… Read more »
VISION from Robatech SA is a smart adhesive melter for the high-quality adhesive application of thermoplastic hot melt adhesives. Vision has one of the best ratios of melting performance to device length, and the innovative FlexPort and the advanced Smart Terminal combine energy-efficient design and new electronics into a smart melter for safe product gluing… Read more »
RIGIFOAM has purchased National Urethane Industries, including all its plant, lab and intellectual property, in the process creating one of the top polyurethane solutions supply operations in Africa. The transaction was completed recently, for an undisclosed sum. Like Rigifoam, National Urethane Industries (NUI) is a Johannesburg-based polyurethane systems house with a national footprint plus exports… Read more »
COVID-19 has created many complications but one of the least expected was the effect the crisis would have on supply chains, a situation which has seriously affected polymer availability around the world as well as in South Africa. The slowdown induced by the lockdown from March 2020, saw material manufacturers reduce output as demand slowed,… Read more »
KAINOTOMIA Polymers opened its doors in September 2020 in Icon Industrial Park, Centurion. Owned and run by Albert Gildenhuys, the company has seen consistent growth in the first seven months of operations. Kainotomia specialises in the colour compounding and milling of LLDPE into powders for the rotomoulding industry. The name ‘Kainotomia’ is derived from a… Read more »
FOLLOWING the recent new EU regulation for caps and closures, manufacturers in the EU must ensure that any caps and closures they manufacture must be ‘tethered’ by July 2024 at the latest. Tethered caps are caps which remain firmly attached to the bottle after opening and during the product’s service life or life cycle. “Plastic… Read more »
WITH the innovative MRSjump Extruder, Gneuss offers an optimum solution for post-consumer tray-to-tray recycling, which meets all requirements of completely circular modern food packaging. Recycling and decontamination with the MRSjump Extruder are possible in one single extrusion step without upstream or downstream material treatment steps. This opens up new possibilities for the recycling of tray… Read more »
ELECTROMOBILITY, autonomous driving and connectivity are among the major trends that are set to fundamentally change demands on vehicles and consequently on how they are manufactured. The body, the lighting systems, the glazing and the interior must be thought of differently, requiring new technologies. Injection moulding technology, with its diverse options for process integration and… Read more »
WITH a solid foundation, Craft Plastics, which started in 1994 in Gauteng, was built up with blood, sweat and tears. Director Bevan Lambinon has now been able to branch out both in his business offerings and his imagination. Craft Trading and Projects Pty Ltd was launched In February 2020 to facilitate the exponential growth of… Read more »
RUSH Recycling, which specializes in the separation of aluminium foil from thermoformed plastic sheeting, has put its plant into operation in a venture that has the potential to be a first for South Africa. Based in Wadeville, Johannesburg, Rush is a startup venture by Brian Fetting which is recycling material which up until now has… Read more »
PERSPEX South Africa has successfully assisted in developing a closed loop recycling system in which it recycles the plastics and aluminium in Tetra Pak packaging and extrudes this into sheets of PolyAl that are used to manufacture retail displays. Tetra Pak has recycled the bioplastic cap (biodegradable) and cardboard (recycled into paper pulp) components of… Read more »
PELMANCO, the polyolefins recycler based in Blackheath near Cape Town, has recently installed its biggest Erema system yet. Established in 1992, Pelmanco has installed a series of Erema systems over the years, starting in 2003, as it steadily increased volume throughput, and the commissioning of the new system in November last year is evidence that… Read more »
BANBURY and Hubron will be celebrating their 24th year of partnership this year, having come together in 1997. The collaboration has been a catalyst for success and expansion in South Africa, with thousands of tons of Hubron’s Black Masterbatch being used for a large variety of applications. As one of the world’s leading suppliers of… Read more »
EXTRUPET commissioned its third food-grade line in January and now has three operational food grade rPET lines. SA Polymer Technology spoke to Harjinder Kaur Jutley (Jiney), Extrupet’s sales coordinator. How has the installation of your third food-grade line been going? Jiney: Wow, what a journey! The start of lock down, at the end of March… Read more »
TEQAL, the specialist producer of injection moulded rigid plastic containers for the cosmetics and industrial sectors, has been awarded a R50-million financing facility by the IDC to expand its factory at the Dube TradePort Special Economic Zone. Started as a greenfields venture in 2016 in a mini-factory at Dube Trade House in KZN, Teqal ‘cherry… Read more »
METALS business Insimbi Group has settled its plastic container and drum manufacturing venture and is now ready to tell the market about it. JSE-listed Insimbi’s core business prior to its entry to the plastic container sector was the supply of metals, including steel and aluminum as well as foundry products. It became involved in plastics… Read more »
DANONE has taken on the challenge to provide COVID-compliant desks to seven ECD schools, five of which are based in Ekurhuleni, the metropolitan in which its production facility is situated. What makes these desks unique is that they are made up of recycled yoghurt tubs. Converting waste into resources addresses a social need in two… Read more »
BAGMAN of East London has entered into one of the more unusual recycling ventures of late, the reprocessing of bioriented polypropylene film. Few, if any, have been involved in reprocessing BOPP, mainly originating from film scrap, which is widely used (chip, biscuit and other packets) and virtually all of which goes to landfill. But Bagman… Read more »
DRV Plastics, based in Roodepoort, Gauteng, has commissioned two Wintec injection moulding machines supplied by local agent, Greentech Machinery. DRV Plastics specialises in the production of aerosol and generic closures, promotional packaging and containers and larger part injection moulded parts for the industrial industry. It prides itself on its ability to provide customers with fast… Read more »
TSHWANE University of Technology launched a new qualification in October the Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Materials Engineering in Polymer Technology. The aim of this new qualification is to addresses the critical shortage of qualified plastics technicians and engineers facing South Africa, as the global competition and technical skills gaps in the industry increase…. Read more »
SOUTH Africa’s first road made from a mixture of recycled tyres and asphalt has been hailed a success, and it may be the start of a new road structure for the country. In November 2019, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in partnership with Much Asphalt, the largest commercial asphalt producer in southern… Read more »
PLASTICS/SA, the umbrella body representing the entire South African plastics industry, has just released the plastics recycling figures for the year ending December 2019. A detailed survey into the state of the country’s plastics recycling industry is conducted annually by Annabé Pretorius of Plastix 911 – an independent consultant who has an unsurpassable knowledge of… Read more »
DARSIM Tool & Die, founded in 1992 by Jorge Simoes, began to really surge ahead after its Ótima housewares brand was brought to life by Jorge and his son Dario in 2012, as the need for quality and affordable houseware products emerged in South Africa, and later in southern Africa By the time of the… Read more »
POLYOAK Packaging embraced the important role it plays in ensuring uninterrupted supply of essential packaging for food, beverages and products throughout the COVID lockdown during which it took proactive steps early on to ensure the safety of its people and bolster its operations. Before the official lockdown commenced, the country-wide group had already placed preventative… Read more »
Zibo Containers of Cape Town has taken a bold step with the installation of a Vacurema line that will enable it to recycle post-consumer PET material for the production of FDA/EFSA approved food-grade trays and punnets. Up to now, PET trays – which although highly popular, constitute only about 10% of SA’s estimated 260 000… Read more »
PLANS for the construction of a PET plant at the Coega IDZ near Port Elizabeth by Utshongo Polytech have progressed, even during the lockdown, and the EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) study now being conducted is the next step for the ambitious, estimated R1,3-billion project. The Utshongo project was introduced to the local market in November… Read more »
AFTER four years of operation, the Mandela Bay Composites Cluster has had to close due to funding difficulties. The Cluster was initially established by funding from the DTI as part of the national Cluster Development Programme and was co-funded by industry partners . “As a result of funding shortfalls, that are expected to persist, and which… Read more »
BAGMAN of East London, a bag manufacturer which switched to mainstream recycling, recently went up a gear when it commissioned its most advanced line yet, a Polystar Repro-Flex 100 recycling extrusion system. Bagman obtained its Waste Licence in early 2019 after a long and expensive process, according to Bagman MD Wouter de Lange, who was… Read more »
BANBURY Colour & Dosing Solutions has taken on a new agency – Kalay, a Brazilian-based manufacturer of high-quality colorants and additives for the plastics industry, at the same time parting ways with Holland Colours who Banbury has represented in SA for many years. “We look forward to continuing our relationships with every single customer and… Read more »
We talk to Russell Westley, who looks after Extrupet’s key accounts, about the addition of the new Starlinger line and what this means for food grade recycling SAPT: Good morning to Extrupet, how is the recycling business in the middle of the pandemic? Russ: Good morning! Yes, it certainly has been a time of reflection…. Read more »
As most of you are no doubt aware, Packaging SA, Plastics/SA, the various PRO’s and other interested parties have been engaging with Government over the past nine months regarding the proposed Section 18 notice. Section 18 refers to the Extended Producer Responsibility EPR) aspect of the National Environmental Management Waste Act (NEMWA) and essentially replaces… Read more »
THE JEC Innovation Awards winners announced in May were selected from 33 finalists. “Innovation is an essential part of this industry – it’s how we invest in our future. The top priorities for players in the composites value chain include product solidity, safety and durability. That is why the JEC Composites Innovation Awards are more… Read more »
THE expansion and upgrade of the Spec Tool & Die facility in 2018 has bolstered the company’s innovation and design capabilities from its Durban-based premises and has provided Berry Astrapak with its own in-house design and tooling capabilities. Enhancing their professionalism – which was established in 1991 and has earned the reputation as specialists in… Read more »
RAWMAC Import and Distribution celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, marking an illustrious career in the SA plastics raw materials industry. Established in 1980, Rawmac supplies engineering polymers to the industry, also providing logistics and technical backup. With a presence in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth, the company is one of SA’s longest… Read more »
CONTINENTAL Compounders, the largest PVC compounder in Sub Saharan Africa, has expanded its range and compound product offering to now also offer the South African market engineering polymers, opening a specialised production site in Marianhill, KwaZulu-Natal, to accommodate this. Continental Compounders compound in excess of 40 000 metric tons a year, together with its engineering… Read more »
RARE Plastics, Meyerton-based HDPE pipe manufacturer and distributor, recently achieved its SANS ISO 4437.2 certification to manufacture HDPE gas pipe. “Rare Plastics believes in setting the benchmark for quality in our industry, so achieving this certification ensures that we continue to strive for perfection. It enables us to give our clients the assurance that they… Read more »
POLAR Plastics, based in Robertville in Northern Johannesburg, successfully commissioned two new machines at its premises in recent months – a Haitian MA160 International IMM injection moulder and a Dawson ABLB80 Single Head Double Station blow moulding machine. Established in 1996, Polar Plastics specialises in plastic screw-on closures and a range of bottles, serving the… Read more »
By SYSPRO chief product officer, Paulo de Matos MANUFACTURERS and distributors are operating in intensely pressured times. Stats SA reported that manufacturing output decreased for the ninth consecutive month in February of 2020 with the full extent of the damage caused by Covid-19 and the nationwide lockdown still unknown. There is no doubt that COVID-19… Read more »
THE South African plastics industry has welcomed the recent findings released by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), confirming that reusable, plastic shopping bags have the lowest environmental footprint compared to carrier bags made from alternative materials. The study was funded by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) and aimed to identify… Read more »
KZN-based GPS Plastics has manufactured and donated more than 17 500 face shields to frontline workers in SA, with the majority going to state-run hospital staff. GPS Plastics is now also looking at various other products that it can assist with during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kevin Govender, MD of GPS Plastics said that a 3D… Read more »
COVID-19 is reshaping the South African and African manufacturing sector and is compounding existing challenges while simultaneously eradicating established practices, subsequently altering the manufacturing world as we know it for the foreseeable future. However, with change, brings opportunity. The Manufacturing Indaba, together with Futureworld invite you to re-envisage your manufacturing or related business by… Read more »
THE Coronavirus outbreak has left no person or industry unaffected. Whilst the rest of the country is in lockdown at their homes, South Africa’s police force, healthcare professionals and other workers in the frontline fight against the Covid-19 virus are ill-equipped and face serious shortages of gloves, masks and other protective gear. “As the plastics… Read more »
The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) – the standards body for the local plastic pipe industry, is urging Government to allow its members to reopen their manufacturing facilities four weeks into the national COVID-19 lockdown. “Safe drinking water is a prerequisite for protecting public health and all human activity. Properly treated waste water… Read more »
SAFRIPOL’S 2020 Sustainability Conference focussed on the many environmental problems faced by the industry with presentations from across the board adding to the mix as, let’s face it, the search for solutions continues. Of considerable interest to all delegates was the presentation by Craig Arnold, formerly president of Dow Chemical Sub-Saharan Africa, but since seconded… Read more »
KAAP Agri, the JSE-listed group trading in agricultural, fuel and related retail markets, has unveiled its first major investment of more than R150 million to further bolster its manufacturing capabilities. The investment entails the establishment of Tego Plastics (Pty) Ltd, a new subsidiary of the Kaap Agri Group, based in Brackenfell, Cape Town. Tego Plastics… Read more »
INKULU Plastic Pipe of KZN has recently completed one of its biggest capex projects to date, the commissioning of a 1200mm solid wall pipe extrusion line from a Zhangjiagang City Yili Machinery Co. of China. The order was placed in August 2018 and delivery was made during December 2019. The first production was run during… Read more »
Plasticpreneur, a global company that develops and provides easy access, small-scale plastic recycling machines, and teaches social entrepreneurship skills enabling grassroots access to turning plastic waste into new products, is giving one Face Shield free to someone in need with every one bought. With its machines in place the batch production of products like a… Read more »
PLASTICS/SA, the umbrella body representing all sectors of the South African plastics industry (including polymer producers and importers, converters, machine suppliers, fabricators and recyclers), is urging the Government to classify certain of its sectors as essential workers. This comes in the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that the nation will be locked down from… Read more »
WHILE the containment of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) remains the biggest priority of governments and health organisations, businesses are starting to take a toll. As cities start to shut down in an effort to curb the spread of the disease, local businesses have felt the direct impact of this on income. The true impact of the… Read more »
THE plastic bag levy will more than double on 1 April when Finance Minister, Tito Mboweni’s, budgetary directive comes into play – raising the levy from 12c to 25c. The 2020 Budget Review also revealed that National Treasury will be consulting on extending the current levy on plastic bags in 2021 to all single-use plastics… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) has postponed its upcoming 1-day industry conference, Vinyls2020, which was scheduled to take place at Emperors Palace on Friday, 12 June, until next year following the escalation of the Corona Virus (Covid-19). “Our aim with hosting this industry event is to ensure that we offer a truly world-class conference… Read more »
MILLIONS of South Africans were glued to their television sets on 13 February, to watch President Cyril Ramaphosa deliver his State of the Nation Address (SONA) to the joint sitting of the National Assembly and the National Council of Provinces. As the President was setting out government’s key policy objectives and deliverables for the year… Read more »
THE official launch of the SA Plastics Pact on 30 January saw a 100-seater conference room left with only standing room as key stakeholders in the plastics value chain – including businesses, governments and NGOs – gathered to learn more about this bold initiative. The statistics about plastic pollution are overwhelming, but initiatives such as… Read more »
DESPITE the fact that a considerable amount of time, money and effort have been invested to prepare and submit an Industry Waste Management Plan (IndWMP) for the paper and packaging industry, the SA government have unilaterally made the decision to scrap the existing Section 28 plan. However, SA’s plastics and packaging industries, represented by Packaging… Read more »
SEVERAL organisations leading South Africa into the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) were recognized at the African Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Awards, presided over by the DTI at the Tramways in Port Elizabeth on 27 November. Awards were made to 11 organisations in six categories to identify, promote and reward innovation in the advanced manufacturing and composites… Read more »
SIX candidates were been nominated for the ‘Biocomposite of the Year 2019’ award. Golden Compound from Germany won first place with its certified home compostable coffee capsules. KNN Cellulose from the Netherlands took second place with their biocomposite granulates made from recycled toilet paper. And Bcomp from Switzerland achieved third place with their powerRibs™, a… Read more »
AUTOMAKER Porsche is leveraging the benefits of organic materials in automotive manufacturing applications. The new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport features body parts made of natural-fibre composite materials developed in the Application Centre for Wood Fibre Research HOFZET, part of the Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research, Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut WKI, together with the Institute for Bioplastics and Biocomposites… Read more »
FOR classic car enthusiasts of the 1960s British AC Cobra® two-seater racing roadster, very deep pockets are needed to afford an original sports car. Back in 2001, world champion auto racers, Tony Martin and Reg Dodd founded Backdraft Racing Inc* to offer enthusiasts worldwide an affordable replica or custom built sports car based on the… Read more »
THE all-new rPET shipping pallet made manufactured by Palletplast trumped 27 other semi-finalists to win the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation’s Best Recycled Plastic Product Award for 2019. Dubbed the ‘Oscars of the Plastics Industry,’ the Best Recycled Plastic Product Awards event was held at Workshop17 in the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town on 4… Read more »
PURPLE LINE PLASTICS, the Cape small container manufacturing specialist, has achieved another coup with the introduction of new technology for the 2-stage stretch blow moulding of polypropylene containers, possibly the first in South Africa to do so. Purple Line MD Charl du Plessis and ‘lieutenant/sheriff’ Kevin Marle have been operating the company in Triangle Farm,… Read more »
SUN Plastics, the Botswana-based manufacturer of innovative and advanced barrier flexible packaging, has recently gained A-category BRC accreditation. With over 40 years experience in the flexible packaging market within the Southern Africa region, Sun Plastics is dedicated to produce the most technologically advanced films and offers quality and service to international standards. Sun Plastics is… Read more »
TWO huge Tederic injection moulding machines, of 4500 and 2700 tons clamp force capacity, have been commissioned at Tego Plastics in Cape Town. The new systems are the biggest injection machines from China to be installed in South Africa to date, an impressive showing of the growing efficiency and capability of the Chinese machine manufacturers,… Read more »
Three-year qualification specifically to prepare plastics technicians and engineers for SA market AFTER a few years of developmental workshops, Plastics/SA, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and various other stakeholders . More than 50 people from various companies in the plastics industry, representatives of the Plastics Institute (PISA) and students attended. This qualification seeks to… Read more »
THE South African Initiative to End Plastic Waste has already made important progress in its efforts to find workable solutions that will end plastic from polluting the environment. According to Plastics/SA executive director, Anton Hanekom, the initiative was formed earlier this year and enjoys the support and active participation of the entire packaging value chain… Read more »
K2019, the leading global trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry, has drawn to a close in Düsseldorf after eight days. The 3,330 exhibitors from 63 nations proved impressively: plastics continue to be an innovative, indispensable, future-oriented material. But they also unanimously underscored the necessity of having operational circular economies along the complete material… Read more »
RANMARINE Technology, a drone technology company from the Netherlands, specialises in remote controlled and autonomous drones called ‘Sharks that operate on water, extracting unwanted material and gathering data about the marine environment. RanMarine’s WasteShark™, modelled on Earth’s biggest fish, the whale shark, will ‘eat’ plastics and other floating litter; extract alien and pest vegetation; and… Read more »
TRAIL runners are generally pretty good about minimising the use of disposable plastics. A lot of them run with soft flasks, hydration packs and collapsible, reusable silicon cups – all of which help to cut down on single-use plastics. Well-organised trail running races rarely have disposable cups at checkpoints and water stations, and competitors are… Read more »
By Plastics News Europe Bioplastics could potentially help restore the “bad image” of plastics, says Hans-Josef Endres, head of IKK Institute for Plastics and Circular Economy at Leibniz University of Hanover. “Bio-based plastics are climate-neutral as each plant absorbs as much CO2 in its lifetime as it emits when it is burned or it… Read more »
THERE are more than 2.5 million tons of composite material in use in the wind energy sector with 130,000 wind turbines active in the European Union (EU) alone today. But as the industry develops, aging turbines will need to be replaced. In the next five years 12,000 wind turbines are expected to be decommissioned in… Read more »
By Prof Anton du Plessis, University of Stellenbosch ADDITIVE manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, has shown tremendous growth and development over the last few years. Today it is possible to print not only plastic prototypes, but serious functional end-use mechanical parts can be produced in a variety of material types including a large… Read more »
TEPEX continuous-fibre-reinforced composites from Lanxess are becoming established in large-scale production of various structural components for lightweight automotive design. One current example of this is the Audi A8. This sedan car is also offered with two electrically adjustable individual rear seats, the shells of which have been developed by Faurecia Automotive Seating and are manufactured… Read more »
A HIGH-performance moulding compound from Hexcel has been used to produce a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) transmission crossmember, using a zero-waste process ideal for high-volume manufacture. The automotive part is comparable with aluminum versions in terms of its performance and price, but could be 30–35% lighter. The transmission crossmember has been developed by Hexcel and… Read more »
THE manufacture of vehicle parts made of composite materials instead of steel is a lightweight and therefore sustainable solution that reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This also applies to commercial vehicles such as trucks, which are used heavily on a daily basis. Carbon Truck & Trailer GmbH (CarbonTT) designs truck chassis from carbon fibre-reinforced… Read more »
WORK is completed on the R8-million pedestrian bridge over the lower Baakens River to capitalise on the precinct’s mushrooming heritage, culture and outdoor activity hub. Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) spokesperson Luvuyo Bangazi said, in a first for South Africa, the 40-metre arch bridge is made mostly of new generation composite materials, creating a tourism… Read more »
GLOBAL colorant provider Chromaflo Technologies, has made its second international acquisition in less than a year, this time buying Liquid Colours (Pty) Ltd of South Africa for an undisclosed price. Liquid Colours’ colorant dispersion division includes pigment dispersions and colorant technologies for decorative paint point-of-sale, in-plant systems, industrial coatings and other applications. That business will… Read more »
PRODUCTIVITY Engineering Services and Consultants (PESC), an independent polymer and plastics testing laboratory, successfully obtained SANAS accreditation for ISO/IEC 17025 at the end of July, a first of its kind in South Africa. François Prinsloo (Ndip & BTech Polymer Technology), PESC lab quality manager, says ISO 17025 accreditation is awarded for the competence of testing… Read more »
A DESIRE to clean up his beloved Soweto, educate the community and combat the problem of overfull landfills has seen Pendowave founder, Gordon Nkuta, build a thriving recycling business and now earn the support of one of the world’s largest PET plastic converters. Nkuta started his buy-back centre in Diepkloof Zone 6 in 2017, collecting… Read more »
PlasX, a new injection moulding business in Port Elizabeth, has recently commissioned its plant – including 14 Haixing injection moulding machines – in what must be one of the most impressive ventures in SA this year. The start-up business, in totally refurbed industrial premises in Korsten, is a collaboration between a number of shareholders, including… Read more »
ALTHOUGH more can and should be done to encourage South African households to recycle, the latest Plastics/SA recycling figures clearly show that South Africa has a dynamic, growing and well-supported plastics recycling industry. “Despite facing major challenges last year, the plastics industry made important strides forward. Plastic bags manufacturers removed fillers to produce bags that… Read more »
CABLETECH installed a Haitian Mars 2500/1000G injection moulding machine at Ian Brown Engineering, owner and manufacturer of the Rybro brand of castors and wheels. This increases the company’s fleet to seven injection moulding machines, with the MA2500/1000G unit being the largest. Based in Kya Sands in Johannesburg, Ian Brown Engineering – widely known as ‘IBE’… Read more »
SPECIALIST mould repair/maintenance business, Injection Technik, is now also supplying the Airtect leak detection system for hot runner moulds. Manufactured by the eponymously name Airtect of Ireland, the system is a modular and fixed leak detection technology designed to monitor the injection process, starting with the barrel and nozzle up to the hot runner mould,… Read more »
In a ground-breaking, market-leading initiative, Shisalanga Construction – a majority owned subsidiary of Raubex Group Limited – has paved a South African road using a locally recycled plastic compound as part of the formula ingredient in the asphalt. During August, the South African recycled plastic road paving trial was successfully completed in Cliffdale, KwaZulu-Natal, in… Read more »
UTSHONGO Polytech has lifted the lid on its ambitious plan to construct a PET manufacturing plant at the Coega IDZ near Port Elizabeth in what is estimated to be a R1,3-billion undertaking . “We are going ahead with the project,” said Mphumezi Penny of Utshongo, based in Midrand. “The South African PET market needs a… Read more »
AUSTRIAN company, Plasticpreneur, visited South Africa recently to promote machinery the company has developed that facilitates empowerment of individuals and communities involved in small-scale recycling by re-creating value from waste products. SA Polymer Technology met with Plasticpreneur’s Søren Lex to find out more. What started for Soren as a social entrepreneurship project in Uganda a… Read more »
TWENTY-three presenters, including several European-based advanced manufacturing experts, will address the impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on South Africa’s manufacturing sectors at the African Advanced Manufacturing and Composites Show from 27-28 November. The international line-up includes Grafton LSR Ltd Engineering Director, Mark Chapman, whose team has engineered the Bloodhound – the most advanced straight-line… Read more »
When and where? K 2019 takes place at the Messe Düsseldorf Fair ground in Düsseldorf, Germany from 16-23 October, daily from 10:00am to 6:30pm. As always, K 2019 exhibitors will be presenting their products and services in all of the venue’s 18 halls with a total area of almost 175 000 m2. Products and services,… Read more »
LILIUM (Munich, Germany) has revealed its new all-electric, five-seater air taxi prototype, the Lilium Jet, which completed its maiden flight in the skies over Germany earlier this year. The structure of the Lilium Jet is nearly all carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), the company says, a key component of the ultra-lightweight design. The full-scale, full-weight prototype… Read more »
By Prof Anton du Plessis, University of Stellenbosch ADDITIVE manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, has shown tremendous growth and development over the last few years. Today it is possible to print not only plastic prototypes, but serious functional end-use mechanical parts can be produced in a variety of material types including a large… Read more »
AIRLINES are seeking competitive advantages to be gained from the enhanced inflight experience – particularly in the form of increased cabin comfort – both in premium and economy classes. Additionally, airlines are looking to capitalize on product differentiation through strong branding and distinctive interior design. From an operational perspective, the ‘light weighting’ of aircraft components… Read more »
ROYAL DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living has recently launched a new carbon fibre filled grade PA6/66 filament Novamid® ID1030 CF10 for 3D printing. Despite the low carbon fibre loading of 10% – much lower than other carbon filled materials – it produces functional prototyping and industrial parts with properties… Read more »
ECONCORE N.V. and Covestro are combining their technologies in order to produce strong and lightweight honeycomb panels with outstanding performance. One of the targeted key performance aspects is to comply with Fire, Smoke, Toxicity (FST) requirements for public transportation applications, including railway and aerospace. Covestro has developed and tested a wide range of polycarbonates and… Read more »
A 4.5m-long by 2.5m-high wire and plastic sculpture of ‘A Fish Named Faithful’ has been unveiled at the V&A Waterfront to highlight the impact of plastic waste on marine life. Comissioned by online eco lifestyle and health retailer Faithful to Nature as one of the organisation’s Plastic Free July initiatives, A Fish Named Faithful was… Read more »
RANMARINE Technology, a drone technology company from the Netherlands, specialises in remote controlled and autonomous drones called ‘Sharks’ that operate on water, extracting unwanted material and gathering data about the marine environment. RanMarine’s WasteShark™, modelled on Earth’s biggest fish, the whale shark, will ‘eat’ plastics and other floating litter; extract alien and pest vegetation; and… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association’s (SAVA) newly launched Vinyl-dot (vinyl.) offers consumers and end-users the assurance that PVC products carrying this quality mark, adhere to SAVA’s Product Stewardship Commitment (PSC) in that they are lead-free, only use additives that have been approved for high human contact applications and are recyclable. “Vinyl is an incredibly versatile… Read more »
MOTIVATED by a strong desire to clean up the environment, while also fighting unemployment, hunger and the growing threat of drugs in her community, Johanna Leshabane launched the Bophelo Recycling project in 2007. And while the project started out relatively small, the power of partnerships has seen it grow to the point where it now… Read more »
TO reduce the negative environmental impacts of plastics and accelerate the transition from a linear plastic material flow to a closed loop or circular flow situation, the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-SA) and the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO) are spearheading the development of the South African Plastics Pact. The partners also have the… Read more »
A NEW global materials distributor entered the international polymers market in July in the form of Meraxis Group, following the merger between the Swiss businesses MB Barter & Trading and Rehau GmbH. Meraxis made its official debut in the market on 1 July.and will be promoting itself as a new player in the market at… Read more »
BENEFICIATION is a term usually applied to the mining sector, a process that involves improving the economic value of ores, but there’s no reason for convertors to not look at a similar scenario for production scrap. These polymer materials are, after all, commodities and in some cases production scrap – including start-up scrap, edge trim… Read more »
BFG Africa Rail, a joint venture by global composites group BFG International of Bahrain and local black industrialist group Mergence, opened its South African moulding plant in Johannesburg on 18 July. Mergence, a diversified financial services group based in Cape Town. acquired a 51% stake in the R50-million venture, set up in June 2018, with… Read more »
LEADING lights in the field of advanced technology, including 4IR, will be acknowledged at South Africa’s official National Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Awards on November 27. The National Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Awards, co-hosted by South Africa’s Department of DTI and the national Composites Cluster, showcases South Africa’s capabilities and promote advanced manufacturing innovation in industry and… Read more »
LANXESS will be presenting a broad portfolio at the international trade fair for plastics and rubber K2019. On its 700 square meter stand, the specialty chemicals company will focus primarily on the topics of new mobility, urbanization and digitalization. “Innovative mobility solutions and modern urban concepts are currently being developed worldwide. These are important growth… Read more »
The car of the future will be a multifunctional, mobile living and working space. This is the guiding principle of a new interior concept for future mobility, which Covestro will present at the K 2019 plastics trade fair. Like the smartphone, it will seamlessly accompany its user around the clock and adapt to his or… Read more »
Now only four months before K2019 opens its gates again – the World’s No.1 Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber, from 16-23 October at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre, is fully booked, with over 3 000 exhibitors from 60 nations. If you’re a trade visitor, you may like to start planning your visit now, so that… Read more »
THE Polystyrene Association of South Africa (PASA) has responded to a statement made by the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs before the National Assembly earlier this year, identifying polystyrene as one of the five so-called ‘problem plastic products’ that have a short lifespan and are the biggest culprits in our environment. The other items on… Read more »
RECENT advances in the production and manufacturing of thermoplastic pipes are not only leading to substantial financial savings, but it also making significant strides to help save the environment and reduce the environmental impact of piping systems. According to Jan Venter, CEO of the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA), the local plastic pipes… Read more »
THE South African plastics industry has once again proved that it does not merely pay lip service when it comes to looking after the environment – it acts on its promises! Under the guidance of Plastics|SA’s Sustainability Director, Douw Steyn, supported by the KZN Marine Waste Network and various other organisations and institutions, more than… Read more »
RUBBER, with all its complicated mixing formulations and alchemy, was to the fore again at the recent IOM³ National Rubber Conference, the 24th edition of the event. Played out at the very welcoming Cape St Francis Resort in the southern Cape from 4-6 April, the show drew 109 delegates, which is a record. And hats… Read more »
SOLVAY reports that the , the Scaled Composites Stratolaunch aircraft has been successfully flown for the first time. This twin-fuselage aircraft is reportedly the world’s largest aircraft by wingspan and was designed to air launch rockets into space. It features Solvay’s out-of-autoclave prepreg technology on the primary structure, while the company’s VTM 264 epoxy was… Read more »
THE Antelope flying car with its sleek, futuristic design looks like something out of a science fiction movie, but the concept is far less pie-in-sky than several decades ago. Flying vehicles are being developed all around the world and could become the future of urban transport. The Antelope was designed by graduates of the Royal… Read more »
NATURAL rubber from rubber trees is a raw material with a limited supply, according to research by the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP in Potsdam-Golm. Synthetically produced rubber has not yet been able to match the abrasion behaviour of the natural product, rendering it unsuitable for truck tyres. But now, for the first… Read more »
GENERAL Motors will make history in the coming weeks with the start of regular production of a carbon-fibre cargo bed in its ’19 GMC Sierra Denali and Sierra AT4 large pickups, an intensely durable and lightweight technology it hopes to apply to other future products. As US fuel economy rules tighten, GM, Ford and Fiat… Read more »
CANADIAN company W Amsler Equipment, a leading supplier of all-electric linear PET stretch blow moulders, has launched a new 64-oz (approx. 2-litres) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) growler jug that mimics the competitive glass design and provides barrier protection for extended shelf life. The PET container is believed to be the first in the industry to include… Read more »
RESEARCH by global packaging company Amcor reveals consumers from Latin America are increasingly attracted to transparent dairy packaging that connotes freshness and premium quality. In response, dairy companies are increasingly using clear PET bottles that provide durability and let consumers see dairy products before they purchase them. In Brazil, leading dairy brand Letti is the… Read more »
ADIDAS is strengthening its commitment to tackling plastic waste with the reveal of Futurecraft.Loop – a 100% recyclable performance running shoe. Together with Parley for the Oceans, in 2015 adidas introduced the first performance footwear concept with an upper made entirely of yarns and filaments reclaimed and recycled from marine plastic waste and illegal deep-sea… Read more »
A team of researchers working at the US Department of Energy says it has created a kind of plastic that could lead to products that are 100% recyclable. The team works at the Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. It recently reported the discovery in a study in the journal Nature Chemistry…. Read more »
GENERALLY, all biodegradable plastics are bioplastics, and that is why naturally occurring microorganisms can consume them, unlike fossil-fuel derived plastics. However, not all bioplastics are necessarily biodegradable to industry standards. This is because, while bioplastics are defined as being based on natural components, they don’t necessarily need to be entirely derived from them. Theoretically, developing… Read more »
INEOS Styrolution, a global leader in styrenics, has completed the first successful test runs producing virgin polystyrene from previously depolymerized material. These experiments, completed at the company’s Antwerp site in Belgium, can be seen as the practical proof of the recyclability of polystyrene. A lab-scale quantity of general purpose polystyrene produced from 100% recycled styrene… Read more »
CONFORMANCE to size and shape tolerances is critical in technical extrusion profiles used in many different areas of industry. Process stability and capability play an absolutely essential role as the requirement of accurate product measurement to guarantee customer satisfaction is crucial. And that’s where laser measurement solutions become vital. WD Hearn, one of the largest… Read more »
ZERMA exhibited at Chinapas in May and Zerma Africa’s Jeff Cawcutt was there to check out the company’s exciting new machinery – some of which are destined for South Africa. www.zerma.com
VESCONITE Bearings, based in the Free State-based, is ramping up its 5-axis machining capability in line with future demands for more complex machined parts made from its advanced engineered plastics. The company already has a Haas VF 11 and a 6-m Marufuku machining centre with a 5-axis head and is currently investigating the purchase of… Read more »
DOW and Menshen, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of caps, closures and single-serve capsules, have launched new Reverse Spout Sealing Technology that enables the production of spouted pouches made of mono-material films. This exciting technology allows converters to address the recycling criteria for flexible packaging and can help brands meet their sustainability packaging goals…. Read more »
AS the global movement away from single-use plastics gathers momentum, South Africa continues to make significant strides in its PET plastic recycling efforts. According to the latest statistics released by national industry body PET Recycling Company (PETCO), 98 649 tons of post-consumer PET plastic bottles were recycled last year alone, saving 612 000 cubic metres… Read more »
APRIL 10 saw the Inauguration of the 3D Printing High-Tech Centre, the largest and most advanced of its kind in Africa, at the Polytechnique at the University of Yaounde in Cameroon. The centre is the ‘brain-child’ of Israeli entrepreneur Uri Sela of Sela Educational Initiatives and incorporates state-of-the-art Israeli equipment and will offer both Cameroonian… Read more »
NAMIBIA Plastics of Windhoek has recently commissioned a new Reifenhäuser ‘Evolution’ blown film line in a project which could result in imported film being substituted by locally manufactured films for a number of Namibia’s main brand suppliers. Set up as recently as 2011 as a supplier of a range of packaging films, Namibia Plastics had… Read more »
THE fact that an estimated 30 million tons-plus of scrap tyres are lying out in the veld there somewhere, in South Africa alone, suggests this could be an untapped resource of a variety of materials, with carbon black being seen as the one most justifying recovery. Recovered carbon black (rCB) is now being seen as… Read more »
DETAILS of how brands, governments and other organisations are tackling plastic pollution have been set out side-by-side for the first time, thanks to a new report published by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy initiative, in collaboration with UN Environment. Major companies including Carrefour, Colgate Palmolive, MARS, Incorporated, Nestlé, SC Johnson, The Coca-Cola Company… Read more »
PLASTICS│SA has slated the move by retailers and shopping malls to ban plastic shopping bags as simplistic, rash responses to a complex problem. In a statement by association, Executive Director, Anton Hanekom said what is required is a rational solution to the genuine crisis of plastic pollution, not an emotional reaction. “Many of those… Read more »
DOW’S 30th Awards for Packaging Innovation last year successfully continued the DuPont Awards for Packaging Innovation programme, the industry’s longest-running independently judged packaging awards programme. As in years past, the judging panel featured experts with diverse backgrounds, providing global perspectives across design, engineering, retail, converting and academia. The judges evaluated more than 200 entries from… Read more »
FURNITURE made of recycled plastic is among winners of the Ro Plastic Prize competition in Milan, Italy. German designer Alexander Schul won the design category of the contest set up by Milanese gallerist Rossana Orlandi, which challenged designers to develop new ways of recycling and reusing plastic. His ‘Substantial’ furniture collection – comprising a chair,… Read more »
A simple yet technically sophisticated household item shows how playfulness, design and functionality can be combined with engineering plastics: the foldable trivet Krempel® from oha-design, Germany. This kitchen helper consists of four flexible, flat plastic strips, which are connected to each other with rivet joints. By pushing or pulling the original flat shape, it can… Read more »
THE A’ Design Award & Competition, the world’s largest and most diffuse international design awards, has chosen their latest winning designs, featuring 1,962 winners from 100 countries in 99 different design disciplines. Highlighting only the best in design, the A’ Design Awards & Competition is an annual awards platform that recognises stand-out realised and conceptual… Read more »
SKF’s Black Design concept is a unique technology that enables lightweight, high performance composite structural parts to be designed and manufactured for a much wider variety of aerospace applications, including structural cleats and products such as hubs and carriers that integrate bearings within the composite part. Black Design is a disruptive metal-replacement technology that makes… Read more »
SPORTS car specialist Porsche is bringing an all-carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic wheel to the market, saying it will be the first global automaker to offer the CFRP wheel when it debuts in early 2018 as an option on the 911 Turbo S Exclusive series. According to Plastics News Europe, at 8.8kg, the composite wheel is 20% lighter… Read more »
THE Spitfire Heritage Trust has recently completed a major project, successfully building from scratch an exact, full size ‘all fibreglass’ replica of the iconic WWII ‘Battle of Britain’ Supermarine Spitfire Mk VB (Type 359). Designed by Reginald Mitchell and produced from 1938-1948 at Supermarine Aviation where Mitchell was employed as an engineer, the original Spitfire… Read more »
The Graphosite project, awarded funding by Innovate UK, is developing a high-sensitivity graphene sensor to detect defects in composite materials. A research consortium has been awarded funding by Innovate UK for the Graphosite project, aimed at creating a graphene sensor that will be able to detect defects in composite materials during both the manufacturing process… Read more »
ADDITIVE manufacturing technology, also known as 3D printing, has shown tremendous growth and development over the last few years. Today it is possible to print not only plastic prototypes, but serious functional end-use mechanical parts can be produced in a variety of material types including a large range of polymers, composites, ceramics and metals. While… Read more »
FRASCADA Projects, a specialist manufacturer of composite architectural cladding panels using unique and innovative processes, recently completed a massive ‘floating yacht’ light fitting for the new Table Bay Mall in Cape Town using a unique product range called Decolite™. Decolite™ was introduced in 2002 by the company and has evolved into an industry standard for… Read more »
THE true value or quality of something can only be judged when it’s put to use – the results are what counts! Advanced Materials Solutions (AMS) in Stikland, Bellville in the Western Cape, recently received unambiguous evidence that their lightweight, composite ballistic protection solution for a series of wheelhouse structures installed on patrol vessels off… Read more »
WHAT began as a philanthropic gesture to design a low-cost sailing keelboat specifically for disabled sailors, has morphed into a significant challenge and serious passion for Cape Town-based naval architects, Alex Simonis and Maarten Voogd of Simonis Voogd Design. It all started in October 2015 when Peter Jacops, a specialist inspector for the certification of… Read more »
AN innovative ultra-lightweight seat weighing only 10kg was presented to the public at the ‘Step Change in Lightweight Construction’ symposium near Trier in Germany. The innovative joint project involves a total of seven highly specialised companies from Germany and Austria. The feasibility study of the lightweight seat was developed in seven months as a joint… Read more »
SICOMIN, a leading supplier of advanced epoxy systems is redefining engineered sandwich construction through the introduction of MaxCore. MaxCore is a new concept of sandwich core particularly suitable for infusion processes launched at JEC World 2019. Fibre reinforcements are inserted in multiple orientations and are responsible for 100% of the mechanical properties of the core…. Read more »
AIRLINES are seeking competitive advantages to be gained from the enhanced in-flight experience – particularly in the form of increased cabin comfort – both in premium and economy classes. Additionally, airlines are looking to capitalize on product differentiation through strong branding and distinctive interior design. From an operational perspective, the ‘light weighting’ of aircraft components… Read more »
A HIGH-performance moulding compound from Hexcel has been used to produce a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) transmission crossmember using a zero-waste process ideal for high-volume manufacture. The automotive part is comparable with aluminum versions in terms of its performance and price, but could be 30–35% lighter. The transmission crossmember has been developed by Hexcel and… Read more »
ROYAL DSM, a global science-based company in Nutrition, Health and Sustainable Living has recently launched a new carbon fibre filled grade PA6/66 filament Novamid® ID1030 CF10 for 3D printing. Despite the low carbon fibre loading of 10% – much lower than other carbon filled materials – it produces functional prototyping and industrial parts with properties… Read more »
ECONCPRE N.V. and Covestro are combining their technologies in order to produce strong and lightweight honeycomb panels with outstanding performance. One of the targeted key performance aspects is to comply with Fire, Smoke, Toxicity (FST) requirements for public transportation applications, including railway and aerospace. Covestro has developed and tested a wide range of polycarbonates and… Read more »
THE world’s first 3D printed plastic bridge has been installed in a Shanghai park serving as a physical landmark in the downtown park, as well as a landmark in large scale 3D printing. The bridge weighs 5 800kg and was printed in just over 30 days and is the first project to be completed by… Read more »
SOLVAY announced that Performance Plastics Ltd. chose Torlon® PAI for its expanded line of EnduroSharp™ Scraper Blades. Designed to remove tough materials from delicate fibre-reinforced composite surfaces, the latest additions to Performance Plastics’ portfolio include gap blades, gap filler removal bits and discs, as well as adhesive cutters and reamers. All of the new EnduroSharp™… Read more »
THE Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) used its recent AGM in Midrand, Johannesburg, to launch two very important initiatives that stand to revolutionise the local PVC industry. Speaking at the event, SAVA Chief Executive Officer, Adri Spangenberg, said that worldwide the plastics industry has come under threat and been placed under severe scrutiny. “However, this… Read more »
THE countdown to SAPPMA’s biggest event of the year, the annual PIPES conference, has begun. The venue for this year’s conference – the 12th year that the event takes place – will again be the Altron Business Park (previously known as the Bytes Conference Centre) in Midrand and the dates have been confirmed as 27/28… Read more »
THE Polystyrene Association of South Africa unveiled exciting plans to increase the collection and recycling rate of post-consumer polystyrene at its Annual General Meeting held in Midrand recently. “We have had phenomenal success with our various recycling projects over the last 11 years. During the 2017-2018 financial year, more than 6 300 tons of polystyrene… Read more »
THE South African plastics industry has once again proved that it does not merely pay lip service when it comes to looking after the environment – it acts on its promises! Under the guidance of Plastics|SA’s Sustainability Director, Douw Steyn, supported by the KZN Marine Waste Network and various other organisations and institutions, more than… Read more »
RUBBER, with all its complicated mixing formulations and alchemy, was to the fore again at the recent IOM³ National Rubber Conference, the 24th edition of the event. Played out at the very welcoming Cape St Francis Resort in the southern Cape from 4-6 April, the show drew 109 delegates, which is a record. And hats… Read more »
NEW Earth Recycling, a company based in Parow and a member of the award-winning Western Cape Industrial Symbiosis Programme (WISP), processes 40 tons of waste a month from polystyrene products to create new usable items valued at an estimated R3-million each month. Mayco Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, James Vos, explains the company’s… Read more »
PROPAK Africa and its co-located events in March saw over 600 exhibitors showcasing their newest products and technologies. Many new products and services were unveiled at the show and visitors were spoilt for choice with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and machinery, auxiliary products and services being exhibited. Held from 12-15 March at the Expo Centre… Read more »
SAFRIPOL upped its game a notch with the hosting of its first technical conference in Johannesburg in late-February, a two-day event attended by some 150 industry managers involved in the key areas where the now more diversified group is involved, packaging, pipe and PET. According to Safripol technology and innovation executive, Gert Claasen the goals… Read more »
INTELLISHIFT, an injection moulding, toolmaking and product development business, has set up its new plant in Meadowdale, Johannesburg. One of Intellishift’s first products is the iCatchi™ fly catcher device, which is a wholly new solution for the business of trapping flies intended for use in environments where flies are prevalent – which is just about… Read more »
HABITAT Industries, one of South Africa’s top toolrooms for blow moulds, has expanded its laser engraving capability to the point where it has become a virtual pioneer in this capacity. The springboard for its progress in this area was largely provided by its use of laser technolog for mould cleaning and repairs. Cape Town-based Habitat… Read more »
CTP Flexibles, CTP Limited’s flexible packaging and printing division, recently achieved BRC accreditation in a process that lifted its food grade quality standards compliance … and boosted cooperation among the company’s 170 staff. This adds to the company’s other quality standards achieved, including FSSC 22000 and FDA IMS compliance. The process at the Ndabeni, Cape… Read more »
IT IS often said that architecture is music frozen in time. But when a building reverberates with the sounds of voices, footfalls of people walking or merely day-to-day activities in such a way that it hinders work performance or impacts on the well-being of employees working in it, serious steps need to be taken to… Read more »
ITALY’S leading manufacturer of electric two-wheelers has specified the use of Thermolast® K for two precision gasketing applications on the new battery boxes of a growing range of power-assisted bikes and electro-scooters. Askoll, based in Dueville (Vicenza, Italy) is using the thermoplastic elastomer material from Kraiburg TPE for an anti-rattle overmoulding of the battery connector… Read more »
COVESTRO has put into operation its first wind turbines with wind blades made using polyurethane infusion resin. The successful installation marks the latest milestone in Covestro’s mission to commercialise polyurethane infusion resin as a key material that will help to shape the new generation of longer, stronger wind blades demanded by the wind power industry…. Read more »
BOREALIS have launched a new strategic alliance with Bockatech, a UK early stage Greentech and provider of EcoCore technology for sustainable packaging. This new material and technology partnership will advance the circular economy by developing low-cost, high performance, reusable, and recyclable foam injection moulding solutions. The open-innovation agreement will accelerate the development of Bockatech’s technology,… Read more »
FASHION label Seven Crash unveiled its innovative ‘Quantus’ collection of unlimited possibilities with its futuristic urban streetwear outfits at the Autumn/Winter New York Fashion Week 2019. The collection, designed in collaboration with chemical company BASF and downstream fabric maker – San Fang, pushes the boundaries in fabric innovation to enable fashion-forward designs and functionality. BASF’s… Read more »
GREEN & Light Automotive Components (Green & Light), an innovative company based in China, has introduced an easy-to-clean surface covering for car trunk floors. Using polyurethane paper honeycomb technology, the trunk floor surface is covered by Elastoskin®, a polyurethane skin technology from BASF. Compared to conventional non-woven fabric surfaces, this newly developed product is easier… Read more »
US company, Audia Elastomers in Washington, Pennsylvania – a global supplier of innovative elastomer materials – is meeting the growing needs of the durable pet toy market with an extensive range of leading-edge material solutions. The company provides brand owners with high-performance elastomers that deliver durability, tear strength, high clarity and adhesion for a range… Read more »
KOUGA municipality in the Eastern Cape is gearing up to build the first plastic road in SA. Kouga municipality mayor Horatio Hendricks said at a media launch in Jeffreys Bay that local civil engineering and construction companies SP Excel and Scribante Construction would partner with Scottish firm MacRebur to build a one kilometrem stretch in… Read more »
CHEM-I-PLAST, the Johannesburg-based materials and additive supplier, in conjunction with Afritrade, the machinery supplier, are the sole distributors of BioSphere, a biodegradable additive that accelerates the natural biodegradation of plastics at a rate which is faster than any other product available in the market. BioSphere, which can be added to a vast array of raw… Read more »
AS CONSUMER demand for sustainable products grows, bioplastics – which can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse emissions – will become more prevalent. Production of bioplastics is expected to grow by as much as 20% by 2022, and as it does, consumer understanding of bioplastics will need to grow with it. A… Read more »
THE new market and trend report ‘Bio-based Building Blocks and Polymers – Global Capacities, Production and Trends 2018-2023’ from the German nova-Institute, shows capacities and production data for all bio-based polymers. In 2018 the total production volume reached 7.5 million tons – already 2% of the production volume of petrochemical polymers. The potential is much… Read more »
POLYOAK Packaging is intensifying its commitment to extended producer responsibility, by partnering with its customers to optimise the recyclability of their packaging. Polyoak has been a contributing member of Petco, the PET industry’s recycling body, since its inception in 2004, and actively participates on the Petco board. In 2018, Petco and its member companies who… Read more »
A SWITCH to Mobil DTE™ 10 Excel hydraulic fluid helped Mpact Plastics in Pinetown reduce the energy used by processing equipment by 7%. The move also helped optimise equipment performance which reduced unscheduled maintenance, while the hydraulic fluid’s long life cut waste oil disposal costs. Mpact Plastics in Pinetown was looking for ways to improve… Read more »
SEVERAL international consumer goods companies operating across Africa, including Diageo, Unilever, The Coca Cola Company and Nestlé, launched the Africa Plastics Recycling Alliance at the CEO Africa Forum in Kigali. The Alliance aims to turn the current challenge of plastic waste in Sub-Saharan Africa into an opportunity to create jobs and commercial activity by improving… Read more »
PLASTICS|SA – the umbrella body representing the entire plastics industry in South Africa – invites all role players in the plastics value chain to jointly find workable solutions to end plastic pollution in our oceans and environment: Join the South African Alliance to End Plastic Pollution. South Africa’s plastic pollution problem is at risk of… Read more »
IN A growing industry shift towards sustainable packaging and product design, one of South Africa’s largest manufacturers of wood-based products, PG Bison, has decided to use only locally sourced and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) strapping. According to PG Bison’s chief executive officer, Gerhard Victor, the company uses 9.1 million metres of plastic strapping per annum… Read more »
