This transmitter puts the melt pressure on the fieldbus
Melt pressure transmitters are used in the plastics and other process industries for measuring the pressure in liquid and pasty materials in the extrusion plant. Such applications demand rugged transmitters that can cover pressures from 50 to 2,000 bar and media temperatures up to 480°C. This firm’s melt pressure transmitter (photo) not only meets these requirements, but is now available with a standard 4–20 mA signal or a digital CANopen signal. As a result, the device can be connected to standard fieldbus control units or indicators. — Hall 10, Stand B39 — JUMO GmbH & Co. KG, Fulda, Germany
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Consider this feeder for low dosing rates
A new version of this firm’s Micro Cone low-rate feeder (photo) will be launched at K 2007. The feeder uses a screwless rotating tube or cone, which enables the device to dose as low as 0.02 to 6 dm3/h. The feeder will use KCM controls and a stepper motor, and will be available in volumetric and gravimetric models. It can also be incorporated into the K4G blender stand, to provide very low-rate online feeding of additives. The new version of the Cone Feeder has been undergoing Beta testing at locations in Europe and the U.S. over the past year. — Hall 10, Stand A74 — K-Tron AG, Niederlenz, Switzerland
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Use less energy for drying flakes with this compactor
The Plastcompactor (photo) is a new solution for drying recycled film flakes. In contrast to conventional dryers, with centrifuges and electrical heaters, the Plastcompactor, with its preceding screw, provides an additional dewatering step. As a result, less energy is needed to remove moisture. Throughputs from 300 to 1,000 kg/h can be obtained with three different models, which have disc diameters from 300 to 700 mm. The drive capacity ranges from 45 to 200 kW. — Hall 09, Stand B56 — Herbold Meckesheim GmbH, Meckesheim, Germany
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A new kneader generation boasts a higher throughput
The new high-performance MX Kneader generation (photo) is optimized for high-grade polyolefin-based compound processing and special master-batch production. Advantages offered by the system include: a 2.5 times increase in throughput, without any size increase; improved quality halogen-free flame-retardant cable compound, even with filler content of up to 68 wt.%; more efficient energy utilization results in a specific power consumption for compounding that is about 15% lower. These improvements are the result of the new four-flight screw and redesigned kneading chamber. Screw speeds of up to 800 rpm are possible without exceeding the maximum admissible temperature of 190°C for cable compounds. — Hall 16, Stand A59 — Buss AG, Pratteln, Switzerland
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Determine melt viscosity with this inline device
The Online Viscometer (photo) is designed with a compact housing for installation between flanges. The melt channel can be specified to match the existing melt-channel diameter between 20 and 110 mm. The unit comes complete with pump, pump drive, pressure trasnsducers, temperature sensors and the control, evaluation and visualization system. The unit monitors and displays the values for viscosity and shear rate in addition to monitoring the melt temperatures and pressures. — Hall 9, Stand B37 — Gneuß Kunstofftechnik GmbH, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany
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Add color to biopolymers with these natural colorants
A new family of all-natural colorants and additives has been developed by this firm to complement the biopolymers that are becoming popular in “green” packaging and consumer goods applications. Based on natural materials such as flowers, the new RENOL-natur color (photo) masterbatches and CESA-natur additive masterbatches are biodegradable and renewable. Until now, the colorants and additives offered for use with biopolymers have been synthetic, mostly derived from fossil fuels, says the firm. — Hall 8a, Stand J11 — Clariant Masterbatches Div., Muttenz, Switzerland
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New additives to be launched here
This firm, created in 2005 by the merger of Crompton Corp. and Great Lakes Chemical Corp., will be introducing several new plastics additives at K 2007. Among these are: MARK OBS Organic-Based Stabilizers, which are now more cost effective than calcium zinc alternatives for both rigid and flexible PVC applications; Firemaster 600 and 602 flame retardants, which are said to be 10% more efficient for protecting polyurethane foams; Polybond coupling agents, for processes and applications requiring very low melt viscosity; and Naugard 300-E inhibitor, which improves the efficiency and control of styrene monomer production processes. — Hall 6, Stand C07 — Chemtura Corp., Middlebury, Conn.
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A kneader for high-grade cable compounds
This firm develops and implements advanced and customized solutions for processing viscous, sticky and crust-forming products. The company’s Kneader Reactors have been proven industrially (photo) for continuous bulk (co-)polymerization reactions. The system applies evaporative cooling to control the polymer temperature, and achieves high conversion rates (90–98%) with typical residence times of about 30 minutes. The reactors are optimized according to the process requirements, by incorporating the appropriate shaft geometry and configuration, to insure maximum self-cleaning of the large heating surface areas. — Hall 9, Stand C24 — List AG, Arisdorf, Switzerland
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A next generation clarifier for PP
Irgaclear XT 386 reduces haze and increased clarity of polypropylene (PP). When used at 150 ppm, the additive is as effective as a conventional clarifier at approximately 2,000 ppm, says the manufacturer. And whereas conventional clarifiers are prone to split off degradation products during processing and end use, which can lead to the formation of malodor and changes in the flavor of food, Irgaclear XT 386 is based on a new chemistry platform that features high thermal and chemical stability. — Hall 6, Stand A27 — Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Basel, Switzerland
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A new PP clarifier and a new PE nucleating agent
To be launched at K 2007, Millad NX8000 is the newest addition to this firm’s range of PP clarifiers. Millad NX8000 is said to offer breakthrough haze compared to existing clarifiers, while having good thermal properties, impact resistance and cost effectiveness, says the manufacturer. Also at K, the company will showcase nucleating agents for both PP and polyethylene (PE) applications. The launch of Hyperform HPN-20E will make cost-effective property modifications of PE a reality for converters, resin and masterbatch producers. — Hall 5, Stand F27 — Milliken Chemical, Div. of Milliken and Co., Spartanburg, S.C.
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Strong composites that have a high filler concentration
Glass-fiber-reinforced composites from the Latigloss family are available with filler concentrations ranging from 50 to 60 wt.%. The matrix material employed is polyamide (PA) 6 or 66. A special modifier ensures that the molded part will exhibit a uniform, smooth and glossy surface. The material also features a very high mechanical strength with a high fatigue resistance and creep resistance over a broad temperature range. Typical applications include housings for electric power tools, sports equipment, furniture and visible automobile components. — Hall 6, Stand D80 — LATI Industria Thermoplastici Deutschland GmbH, Wiesbaden-Nordenstadt, Germany
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Separate plastics with this unique centrifuge
The Sorticanter (photo) is a unique, solid-bowl centrifuge that separates polyolefins from plastics and impurities with an efficiency of 99.99%. The unit separates the freely drainable moisture, resulting in a 2–20% moisture content in the discharged solids. The Sorticanter is suitable for sorting plastics such as ABS, PA, PP, PE, PS and PVC, as well as for recycling of plastic fibers and cable waste. The system can also be used for washing plastic mixtures, such as DSD films, DSD mixed plastics, fibers and films, ground bottles and the recovery of PET flakes. Sizes reach up to a capacity of 1,000 kg/h of solids. — Hall 7, Stand B27 — Flottweg AG,
Vilsbiburg, Germany
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This biodegradable plastic now available as a foam
After the market launch of Ecovio LBX 8145 at the beginning of 2006, first laboratory samples of the new Ecovio L Foam will be available in October, just in time for the K show. The material is designed for foamed food trays and fast-food boxes. Like its predecessor, the new Ecovio L Foam is composed of Ecoflex, this company’s biodegradable polyester, and the renewable raw material polylactic acid. — Hall 5, Stand B21 — BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany
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