“In the light of internal and external challenges, taking actions to enable us to be more competitive is important to restore profitability at KraussMaffei,” company CEO Li Yong said in a Feb. 28 news release. “Therefore various measures have been initiated to improve operational performance, to increase work efficiency and to reduce the cost base, including job reductions. We are confident that KraussMaffei will get back on the road to success.”

The news release also said that there are currently “no plans to cut jobs in manufacturing and assembly.”

The job cuts are the latest in a series of moves at KraussMaffei. The company relocated its headquarters and main plant from Munich-Allach, in Germany, to Parsdorf only a few weeks ago; with 250,000 square meters, the new location is now home to its production for injection molding and reaction processing, additive manufacturing, mechanical manufacturing and automation. And just a few months ago, KraussMaffei said it had “successfully restructured” its external corporate financing, resulting in financing conditions that are “significantly improved.” “This supports the planned adjustment and efficiency program, and further consolidates the long-term development for the company in an overall challenging market environment,” KraussMaffei said.

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Entek and Bruckner USA management celebrating the signing. Photo Credit: Entek Manufacturing Inc.

Extruder maker and battery technology supplier Entek Manufacturing Inc. has signed an agreement with Bruckner Group USA to produce 18 battery separator film production lines.

These lines will expand production capacity of the batteries for Entek, in addition to an earlier announced 1.4 billion-square-meters-per-year Entek project that was selected for a US$200 million Department of Energy grant award.

Lebanon, Oregon-based Entek is said to be the only U.S.-owned and U.S.-based producer of ‘wet-process’ lithium-ion battery separator materials – used in electric vehicle (EV) production – and the deal with Bruckner Group is part of a push by Entek to increase its footprint in the lithium battery sector for EVs.

“[We] will create jobs producing lithium battery components, using the most advanced technologies, and meeting the cleanest environmental standards in the world,” Entek CTO Rick Pekala said. “Bruckner’s newest generation biaxial stretching film equipment together with [our] material science, coating, recycling, and separator production expertise fulfils this mission.”

“These battery separator lines will run in new U.S.-based Entek plants and will support the production of lithium-ion batteries, to support the growing U.S. EV and energy storage demand,” Entek officials said.

Separator film is used in a lithium-ion battery, and placed between the cathode and anode, to help to prevent short-circuiting and stop thermal runaways with its special thermal shutdown properties, all while still facilitating the flow of charged ions.

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Founded in 1968 and headquartered in Boucherville, Uni-Select distributes automotive refinish and industrial coatings and related products in North America through its FinishMaster segment, in the automotive aftermarket parts business in Canada through its Canadian Automotive Group segment, and in the U.K. through its GSF Car Parts segment. The company has over 5,200 employees, 15 distribution centres, and more than 400 branches. In addition to Finishmaster, some of its 95 company-operated stores operate under the names Bumper to Bumper and Auto Parts Plus.

LKQ chief executive Dominick Zarcone said the deal will bolster the company’s vehicle parts distribution and broaden its presence in Quebec.

“Uni-Select’s North American automotive refinish paint and mechanical parts distribution operations complement LKQ’s existing footprint and will allow us to distribute a broader array of products to our customers,” he said in a Feb. 27 news release.

In connection with the deal, Chicago-based LKQ said it will look to sell GSF Car Parts.

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Image Credit: SPE

In a move that expands its footprint in Europe, the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) has acquired 3Dnatives, a for-profit French media and events company focused on the 3D printing and additive manufacturing markets.

The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

“There is a natural similarity between the work of SPE and of 3Dnatives,” SPE CEO Patrick Farrey said in a Feb. 27 news release. “Both publish the most up-to-date technical information for professionals in the plastics and additive manufacturing industries. Joining with 3Dnatives expands SPE’s expertise in these growing markets and gives our members unprecedented access to the science and technologies they need to know.”

Founded in 2013, 3Dnatives is an international online media platform that publishes daily industry news and distinct market-specific platforms in five native languages – French, German, English, Spanish, and Italian – and has more than 1.2 million platform visitors. The site offers a 3D printing equipment comparison engine, plus original articles, technical guides, product reviews, job board, business directory and more – each in the users’ native language.

“SPE’s well-established leadership in producing technical information for plastics and manufacturing professionals will be a great asset, as 3Dnatives continues to serve more than six-million 3D printing and additive manufacturing professionals across the globe every year,” 3Dnatives founder and CEO Alexandre Martel said in the release.

The companies will maintain offices in the U.S., Brussels, and Paris.

Founded in 1943 and headquartered in Bethel, Conn., SPE is a global plastics professional membership organization, with chapters in Canada.

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A 150-ton overhead crane was installed to move injection molds. Photo Credit: Engel

Austrian injection molding machine maker Engel says it has set a company record by delivering two injection molding machines with a clamping force of 8,000 tons each to customer Infiltrator Water Technologies (IWT), a subsidiary of Advanced Drainage Systems, in Winchester, Kentucky.

In a news release, Engel officials said the two machines are the largest ever built at Engel’s St. Valentin facility in Austria.

The first Engel duo 130000/130000H/8200 combi US machine arrived at the IWT plant last February and the second machine, a replica of the first, arrived at the facility this month. The purchase order was received in November 2020.

IWT manufactures water management products.

Special shipping and ground transportation arrangements were needed to move the machines from Austria to the U.S., and even to transport them within Austria. The platens were transported to and from the St. Valentin manufacturing facility along the Danube River on barges. “Each machine was fully assembled and tested prior to shipping and then disassembled to be shipped to the United States,” said Jim Moran, business development manager at Engel North America.

Injection molding machine parts were trucked to the Winchester, Kentucky plant for assembly. Photo Credit: Engel

At the IWT site in Winchester, a 59,000-square-foot building expansion was underway at the same time as 29 truckloads of machine parts were arriving from Austria. A 150-ton overhead crane was installed to move molds in and out of the machine and was also used to help assemble the new presses.

In its news release, Engel said it is increasingly receiving requests for custom solutions in the extremely high clamping force range. “Clamping forces of 10,000 tons and more are possible,” Engel said. “Machines of this size can process individual shot weights of several hundred kilograms or pounds and achieve two-ton-per-hour material throughput.”

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Easytherm is the new mould temperature control unit characterized by user-friendliness, flexibility and reliability, both in injection and blow moulding and extrusion processes.

New interior and exterior layout, redesigned ergonomic control, coupled with high-end components, characterize a versatile machine that guarantees reliability and long term performances.

See more at this link.

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Photo Credit: Covestro AG

German chemical supplier Covestro AG has announced plans to build its largest thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) site in Zhuhai, China.

With an overall investment in the low three-digit million Euro range, Covestro officials said in a Feb. 23 news release, it will also be the company’s largest investment in its TPU business.

“This investment shows our ongoing commitment to growth in our Solutions & Specialties business entities”, said Covestro CCO Sucheta Govil. “With this new plant for TPU we want to capture the expected fast and high market growth of the TPU market globally, and especially in Asia and China. The production site will be able to serve both the growing Asian markets, as well as demand in Europe and North America.”

Located in the Zhuhai Gaolan Port Economic Development Zone in Guangdong province, the new site will eventually span across 45,000 square meters. Scheduled for completion by 2033, it is expected to achieve a production capacity of nearly 120,000 tons of TPU per year. It will be built in three phases. The mechanical completion of the first phase is estimated for the end of 2025. This will lead to a production capacity of about 30,000 tons per year and the creation of about 80 new jobs. The initial investment for this phase lies in the mid double-digit million Euro range.

An innovation centre will also be part of the investment, Covestro officials said, enabling researchers on-site to design customized material formulas.

Additionally, the site will be run on 100 per cent green power, and will produce injection molding grades for footwear and a wide range of IT devices, as well as extrusion grades for cables, hoses and tubes or automotive applications.

The post Covestro to build its largest TPU site in China appeared first on Canadian Plastics.

“Our government is leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to attract new investments that will create more good-paying jobs and strengthen the economy,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “Creating more shovel-ready mega sites will help Ontario remain competitive as the province competes for major global investments.”

A critical factor for securing new investment opportunities is having suitable industrial sites ready for companies to build on. In November 2019, Ontario launched the Job Site Challenge to create an inventory of investment-ready mega sites. As part of this initiative, municipalities, economic development agencies and industrial property owners put forward large tracts of land of between 500 and 1,500 acres that could support large-scale manufacturing operations.

A site in St. Thomas and Central Elgin that is approximately 1,500 acres has been identified as one of the most investment-ready mega sites in Ontario. However, with the land divided between two municipalities with different permitting requirements, potential investors could face red tape and delays from duplication. If passed, the proposed legislation will adjust the municipal boundaries so the site resides fully in St. Thomas, speeding up construction timelines and ensuring that the site is truly shovel-ready for potential investment.

“Our government is taking concrete action to build on our record of attracting jobs and investment,” said Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “We are taking a collaborative approach across government and with our municipal partners to cut red tape and ensure the benefits of economic growth are enjoyed across the province.”

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From July 25, 2022, to October 7, 2022, the government asked Canadians, stakeholders, industry, and provincial, territorial and local governments for their views on new labelling rules for recycling and composting of plastics in Canada. The government also sought views on developing a registry for producers to report on the plastics they put into the economy.

Based on the responses, the government said, new labelling rules are being developed that would prohibit the use of the circular three-arrow symbol (often referred to as the chasing-arrows symbol) and other recyclability claims on plastic packaging and single-use plastics unless specific conditions are met. These conditions may include that at least 80 per cent of Canadians have access to recycling systems that accept, sort, and re-process these plastics.

In addition, new rules are being considered to control the use of terms such as “compostable”, “degradable”, or “biodegradable” in the labelling of plastic packaging and single-use plastic items. “These new rules would help Canadians make informed decisions about the plastics they buy, and how to properly dispose of the products at their end of life,” government officials said. The labelling rules would be part of new regulations that would also require minimum levels of recycled plastic in certain products.

The government also says it’s committed to establishing a “federal plastics registry” that would require annual reporting of plastics in the Canadian economy and how these products are managed at the end of their lives. “The registry would also collect and publish data for Canadians on the entire life cycle of plastics in Canada,” the government said.

The government says it intends to publish a proposed framework for the recycled content and labelling regulations later this year, which will be available for public consultation. “Comments received on this framework will inform the proposed regulations that are targeted for publication before the end of the year,” it said.

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The financial terms of the deal – which adds four facilities and 1,200 employees to Inoac USA – have not been disclosed.

“The acquisition places Inoac in a strong position to leverage scale across our North American businesses and manufacturing footprint,” Inoac USA president Rob DePotter said in a Feb. 17 news release.

Inoac Exterior Systems specializes in polyurethane, rubber, plastics, and composite exterior trim products.

Inoac USA is headquartered in Troy, Mich.

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Effective last November, the company named Barry Engle as chairman of the board, replacing James R. Voss, who remains on the board.

Barry Engle. Photo Credit: ABC Technologies

Also effective last November, Mark Decker was named as chief human resources officer. Decker has over 30 years of global automotive HR experience, most recently serving as CHRO of Joyson Safety Systems. He also served as CHRO at Nexteer Corp., Fisker Automotive, and Meridian Automotive Systems.

Mark Decker. Photo Credit: ABC Technologies

Finally, Scott Roggenbauer has been appointed chief financial officer effective Feb. 14, 2023, replacing David Smith, who is leaving the company. Roggenbauer has over 25 years of senior financial and accounting experience, ABC officials said, most recently serving as CFO of AmesburyTruth. He also served as CFO for Haas F1 Racing as well as in several senior finance roles at Johnson Controls, ZF Group, and Harley-Davidson.

Scott Roggenbauer. Photo Credit: LinkedIn

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Photo Credit: Continental Tire

Germany-based tire maker Continental Tires has announced a plan for all of its tires to be made of sustainable materials – including recycled PET bottles – by 2050.

“There is still a long way to go [but] step by step, it is already becoming apparent which raw materials will find their way into tire construction in the future,” Continental officials said in a Feb. 14 news release. “These include waste products from agriculture – such as the ash from rice husks – rubber from dandelions, recycled rubber or PET bottles.”

Around 15 to 20 per cent renewable or recycled materials are used in a standard passenger car tire from Continental currently. Continental analyzes and reviews all raw materials used in tire production to increase the proportion of sustainable materials and conserve valuable resources.

Depending on the application, season, and environment, tires must fulfill specific requirements. These elements can be seen in, for example, the tread design. But in other areas – the composition of the rubber compound, for example – these changes are not so readily visible. Passenger car tires from Continental consist of as many as a hundred different raw materials.

“Natural rubber is essential for ensuring outstanding tire performance,” Continental said. “This natural product accounts for between 10 and 40 per cent of the entire weight of modern high-performance tires. Its unique properties include a high level of strength and durability, which are caused by the strain-induced crystallization of the rubber.” With its Taraxagum project, Continental is pursuing an approach to ensure that it can become less dependent on natural rubber grown primarily in Southeast Asia. The tire manufacturer is working alongside partners on industrializing the extraction of natural rubber from specially cultivated dandelion plants.

At the latest, Continental is aiming for fully circular operations in its tire production by 2050. In addition to using renewable materials, the company is working on using recycled raw materials in tire production. This process is intended to ensure that carbon black – another crucial filler in rubber compounds – can be obtained on a large scale. Continental recently signed a development agreement with Pyrum Innovations, intending further to optimize the recycling of materials from old tires. To do this, Pyrum breaks the old tires down into their constituent parts in an industrial furnace using a special pyrolysis process. In this way, valuable raw materials contained in end-of-life tires can be extracted and recycled. Both companies are working towards obtaining high-quality raw materials from the pyrolysis oil obtained for Continental’s tire production in the medium term, in addition to the direct use of high-quality carbon black. In the long term, the premium tire manufacturer and Pyrum are aiming to establish a closed-loop circular economy concept for recycling old tires.

In addition to pyrolysis, Continental uses mechanical processing of end-of-life tires. Rubber, steel and textile cord, in particular, are separated, in a highly sophisticated process, from one another. The rubber is then prepared for reuse as part of new rubber compounds.

Continental also works with partners to obtain high-quality polyester yarn for its tires from recycled PET bottles, which would otherwise end up in incinerators or landfills. With its ContiRe.Tex technology, Continental says it has developed a more energy-efficient and eco-friendly alternative that allows it to reuse between nine and fifteen plastic bottles for each tire, depending on the tire size. “Recycled PET has already replaced conventional polyester in the structures of some tire casings,” Continental said. “The PET bottles used are sourced exclusively from regions with no closed recycling loop.”

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Image Credit: Shore Capital Partners/Container Services Inc.

In a deal that will develop bear-shaped plastic bottles for honey, Chicago-based private equity firm Shore Capital Partners has formed a partnership with Container Services Inc. (CSI), a custom blow molder of rigid plastic containers based in Hillsboro, Kan., with a second location in New Castle, Pa.

CSI was founded by Darrell Driggers in July 1991 to provide custom plastic bottles to honey producers, including their iconic “honey bear” bottle. The company specializes in the production of PET and HDPE blow molded plastic containers and has expertise working with post-consumer recycled plastic resins. Today, CSI has over 100 employees, and more than 150,000 square feet of manufacturing space.

In a Feb. 13 news release, Shore Capital said it will be investing in CSI’s operational infrastructure, business development, and sales and marketing.

“Together, CSI and Shore will explore opportunities for inorganic growth through acquisitions of rigid plastic container manufacturers and organic growth through continued best-in-class customer service, new customer partnerships, and expanded offerings to existing customers,” the release said.

Darrell Driggers son Driggers’ son, Brent Driggers, who has been with CSI since 2015, will retain his position as CEO.

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https://www.staubli.com/us/en/fluid-connectors/industries/plastics-process.html#tabs-9fd89e0e96-item-db6da3966d-tab

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Founded more than 40 years ago, Reitech’s products include standard and custom colour dispersions, and are used in aerospace, consumer goods, and industrial coatings applications.

Reitech’s owners Stephen Holtzman and Prakash Pradhan will remain with the company and join the Vivify management team, Vivify officials said in a Feb. 15 news release.

“Reitech is an ideal acquisition for Vivify, with a complementary product line that offers new avenues for product innovations,” said Craig Nikrant, operating partner on the Gryphon Heritage Fund team. “We remain committed to partnering with the Vivify management team to identify and support additional strategic acquisitions that will drive growth.” Vivify was bought by acquired by private equity firm Gryphon in December 2021.

Headquartered in San Francisco, Vivify makes specialty chemicals for colourant applications, specializing in dyes, organic pigments, slip additives, liquid colourants and specialty resins.

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The W5.22 access door to the cutting chamber makes cleaning and preventative maintenance more efficient. Photo Credit: Weima

Quebec-based plastic recycler EcoFib has just acquired a new recycling line that utilizes a W5.22 single-shaft shredder from Weima to turn post-industrial film scrap into pellets.

Headquartered in Drummondville, EcoFib exclusively processes post-industrial plastic scrap, transforming it into plastic pellets in a variety of colours for sale to nearby companies to be manufactured into new plastic products.

The Weima W5.22 shredder – formerly known as the WKS 2200 – features a Bosch-Rexroth hydraulic drive, and is the first stage of recycling this post-industrial film scrap. The material is loaded into the machine’s hopper via infeed conveyor. Because film is bulky and unruly, the shredder’s built-in swing ram technology keeps the material pressed against the rotor to maximize its shredding efficiency.

 The post-industrial film that is processed with the Weima line is sourced primarily from the Greater Montreal area, with only about five per cent of the film coming from further away. After the film is shredded, it’s then sent to a Gamma Meccanica pelletizer for further processing.

All in all, this recycling system can produce approximately ten million pounds of plastic pellets each year, Weima officials said.

For the next step, EcoFib – which was founded in 2008 and currently employs about 36 workers – plans to invest in an automatic screen changer for the new shredder so it can begin processing post-consumer plastics as well as post-industrial scrap.

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Rendering of Magna Structures Heart Lake facility in Brampton. Image Credit: Magna International

Automotive parts supplier Magna International plans to invest more than $470 million to expand its operations across Ontario, including a new $265-million battery enclosures facility in Brampton to support the Ford F-150 Lightning and future OEM programs.

In addition to the Brampton facility, Magna is growing in its locations in Guelph, Belleville, Newmarket, Windsor, and Penetanguishene. These expansions follow new business awards from various automakers in key product areas. They are also supported by $23.6 million in grants from the Ontario government.

The new and expanded operations are expected to bring more than 1,000 new jobs to Ontario over the next few years, officials with Aurora, Ont.-based Magna said in a Feb 15 news release.

“The Brampton facility, coupled with investment and growth in five existing Ontario facilities, allows [us] to keep up with customer demands across several product areas,” said Eric Wilds, Magna’s chief sales and marketing officer.

Details of the new and expanding facilities include:

• Brampton: A new 490,000 square-foot leased facility to manufacture battery enclosures for electric vehicles. Operations to begin in Q2 2023, roughly 560 new jobs are expected at full production.
• Guelph: Magna is adding e-coat, molding and welding capacity to its exteriors plant to support new electric vehicle production. The expansion will total 120,000 square-feet, and production is planned to begin in Q2 2023. Approximately 175 new jobs are expected.
• Belleville: Magna’s lighting plant is adding to its capabilities for printed circuit board assemblies and will start operations in Q4 2023. Up to 100 new jobs are expected.
• Newmarket: Magna’s mechatronics facility – which produces vehicle access systems including side door latches, electronic control units, and power systems – is growing its business and expects approximately 75 new jobs.
• Windsor: Magna’s mechatronics plant adds new business for powered aluminum tonneau covers. The facility has recently started those operations and is planning to add roughly 110 new jobs.
• Penetanguishene: Magna’s mechatronics facility is growing its tailgate hinges production and more than 15 new jobs are planned.

Magna has 49 manufacturing facilities with more than 18,500 employees throughout Canada.

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Marina López. Photo Credit: Rapid Granulator

Rapid Granulator has appointed a new country manager for Mexico, naming Marina López to the position.

In a Feb. 15 news release, the Sweden-based firm described López as a marketing and sales professional with more than 25 years in service, commercial and industrial sectors with international experience focusing on strategic business development and projects. “She brings the company over 15 years of experience in plastic injection molding at a commercial, managerial and executive level,” the release said.

She has also collaborated with the Department of Commerce of the U.S. and the Canadian Trade Commission for commercial cultural and diplomatic events.

Rapid was founded in 1942 in Bredaryd, Sweden. In 1976, a production facility in the U.S. was started and is located in Leetsdale, Pa. The company also has offices in Germany, France, Italy, Singapore, China and the Philippines.

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Photo Credit: Nova Chemicals Corp.

Calgary-based material supplier Nova Chemicals Corp. has opened a new business division focusing on lower-emission, recycled products.

Called Nova Circular Solutions, the division will initially offer three commercial recycled polyethylene (rPE) resins under the brand name SYNDIGO.

The first of these products is EX-PCR-WR3, a mechanically recycled resin sourced from PE agricultural film, intended for e-commerce mailers, can liners, carry-out bags, protective packaging and shrink.

EX-PCR-NC4, the second product in the line, is a mechanically recycled resin sourced from back-of-store distribution center PE stretch film and front-of-store consumer drop off. It’s best used for heavy-duty sacks, e-commerce mailers, stretch wrap, collation shrink, protective packaging and industrial films.

The third product, EX-PCR-HD5 resin, is mechanically recycled and sourced from HDPE milk jugs. It’s intended for use in flexible packaging, heavy-duty sacks and small-part blow molding.

“Plastic products play a critical role in our daily lives, and industry and consumers…want products that can be recycled, reused, and reimagined,” said John Thayer, Nova’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “[This] announcement underscores [our] commitment to be a leader in sustainable polyethylene production.”

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The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Complete Packaging, which makes polyester and polypropylene strapping and a range of film products, becomes a division of Cartier Packaging and retains its current brand image.

“This acquisition is fully aligned with our vision to be a leader in environmentally responsible packaging solutions in Eastern Canada for manufacturing industries and distribution centers that wish to optimize their secondary and tertiary packaging,” said Cartier Packaging president David Cartier in a Feb. 11 news release.

Cartier Packaging was founded in 1980 in Saint-Cesaire, Quebec.

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Photo Credit: Ineos Olefins Belgium

Chemical maker Ineos Olefins Belgium announced that it has raised 3.5 billion euros (US$3.7 billion) to support the construction and operation of what it says will be the most environmentally sustainable cracker in Europe.

“This is the largest investment in the European chemical sector for a generation,” company officials said in a Feb. 13 news release. “The plant will have the lowest carbon footprint in Europe, three times lower than the average European steam cracker, and less than half that of the 10 per cent best performers in Europe.”

Called “Project ONE,” the plant – which will be built in the port city of Antwerp, Belgium – also has the capability of operating entirely with low-carbon hydrogen, the release said, and has sufficient space to add a carbon-capture facility and electric furnaces.

“Project ONE is a game changer for Europe,” said Jason Meers, CFO. “It will bring new opportunities to the chemical cluster in Antwerp as well as strengthen the resilience of the whole of the European chemical sector.”

The state-of-the-art plant will produce ethylene, Ineos said, which is one of the most widely used basic chemicals in the world.

Construction will take roughly four years, and startup is expected to begin in 2026.

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The agenda is set for the 2023 Advance: Women in Manufacturing virtual event on March 2, and it’s shaping up to be one you don’t want to miss.

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Magna batter enclosures on the 2024 Silverado EV RST. Photo Credit: Magna International Inc.

Automotive parts supplier Magna International Inc. has secured new business from General Motors (GM) to supply battery enclosures on the all-new 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV.

In a Feb. 13 news release, Magna officials said the company will produce the enclosures at its Magna Electric Vehicle Structures facility in St. Clair, Mich., where it already produces the battery enclosure for the GMC HUMMER EV.

In Oct. 2022, Magna announced a 740,000-square-foot expansion for the facility in St. Clair to support the electric vehicle (EV) market. Production is expected to begin later in 2023.

“The accelerating shift toward vehicle electrification opens up exciting growth opportunities for Magna beyond powertrain,” said John O’Hara, president of Magna’s body and chassis group. “We have been able to leverage our expertise to supply battery enclosures – a product for which we see strong potential going forward. We have our eye on the future and are proud to play such a critical role in GM’s next generation of electric trucks.”

Battery enclosures – which all battery EVs require – house high-voltage batteries, electrical components, sensors, and connectors, Magna said, and they contribute to the structural and safety aspects of a vehicle’s frame and protect critical battery components from potential impact, heat and water intrusion. “[We] can develop these advanced assemblies in steel, aluminum, and multi-material configurations, including lightweight composites, to meet the individual needs of its customers,” Magna said.

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Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Aleksandr Matveev

Packaging supplier Berry Global Group Inc. has created its own tooling business in a move to become a comprehensive source of expertise while maintaining regional insight and local support.

“As a result, [our] current and future customers will have unique access to a full suite of tooling capabilities, including injection, blow, compression, and thermoforming molds that can be integrated into their existing product orders,” Berry officials said in a Feb. 7 statement.

“Many companies rely on independent tooling shops to develop their tooling as it requires a niche skillset and understanding of regional packaging regulations,” said Kevin Pennington, vice president of Berry’s new Global Tooling and Automation Services unit. “Berry Global Tooling Services eliminates the need for a third-party tooling manufacturer by providing a one-stop-shop for tooling and converting services at a global scale with regional expertise.”

According to Berry, the new unit offers faster turnaround from start to finish by eliminating potential back and forth with third-party tooling manufacturers, assurance that the molds will match appropriately with Berry’s production lines, reduced shipping costs and lead times, quality refurbishment options and reverse engineering expertise, and minimal risk to compromising any intellectual property.

Molds are developed at one of Berry’s ten global tooling facilities and transported to a nearby Berry manufacturing facility where production takes place, the statement added.

Berry is headquartered in Evansville, Indiana.

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Robert Forger. Photo Credit: Plastics Hall of Fame

Robert Forger, a former executive director of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) and member of the Plastics Hall of Fame, died in Connecticut on Jan. 24 at age 94.

Forger graduated from Norwich University in Northfield, Vt., with a chemistry degree in 1949, and initially worked as an engineer and then manager of technical publicity for Dorr-Oliver in Stamford, Conn. He joined the Bethel, Conn.-based SPE in 1959, starting as conference manager and becoming executive director in 1971. During his 21 years as executive director, Forger played a central role in helping SPE to become an important worldwide professional association for the plastics industry, doubling the size of SPE membership from 16,500 to 37,000, almost doubling the size of its staff, and also dramatically growing the number of SPE technical conferences and seminars.

Forger, who lived in Newton, Conn., also served in leadership positions on the Plastics Education Foundation and the National Plastics Museum; and was an advisor to the University of Massachusetts Lowell’s plastics engineering curriculum advisory committee, resulting in the creation of the first-in-the-nation degree in plastics engineering.

Forger was inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame in 1997.

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The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Thermoforming Division has announced a call for nominations for the annual Thermoformer of the Year award. The award recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution to the thermoforming industry in a technical, educational or managerial capacity.

The nomination deadline is March 31, 2023. Nominees will be evaluated and reviewed by the SPE Thermoforming division board of directors in late May, with an announcement on the winner made afterwards.

The award will be presented during SPE’s Thermoforming Conference Awards Gala, held on Oct. 25 in conjunction with the 29^th SPE Thermoforming Conference, which takes place Oct. 23-26, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio at the Huntington Convention Center.

The 2021 Thermoformer of the Year award was received by Hal Gilham, former president of Productive Plastics in Mount Laurel Township, N.J.

Guidelines for nominees and the required nomination form are posted online at http://thermoformingdivision.com/awards-recognitions/thermoformer-of-the-year/nomination-form/. All materials must be emailed to Juliet Goff at [email protected] by the March 31 deadline.

Past recipients of the Thermoformer of the Year award can be found on the SPE Thermoforming Division website at https://thermoformingdivision.com/awards-recognitions/thermoformer-of-the-year/past-winners/.

More information is available at https://thermoformingdivision.com or by contacting Shameka Jennings at [email protected].

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In a Feb. 6 news release, government officials said this includes work pertaining to so-called “forever chemicals” or persistent organic pollutants and mercury, as well as microplastic and other plastic pollution in the North.

As part of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada’s “Northern Contaminants Program,” $2,665,000 is available in 2023-2024 for new projects related to human health, environmental and community-based monitoring and research, and related public outreach initiatives, with over $850,000 identified for activities contributing to Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda.

Applicants have until March 8, 2023 to submit their proposals. Projects selected for funding will be announced in summer 2023.

“Together, with Indigenous partners, scientists are assessing the presence of contaminants and plastics pollution in Northern and Arctic communities,” the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, said in the release. “These partnerships will lead to solutions to reduce the presence of contaminants in local food sources, including traditionally harvested country foods integral to Indigenous culture and food security in the North and Arctic.”

The Northern Contaminants Program supports the research and monitoring of contaminants that are transported to the Arctic through atmospheric and oceanic processes from other parts of the world, including persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals (particularly mercury), and other contaminants of concern for Arctic regions, such as microplastics. The program has an annual budget of approximately $5.1 million, including $1 million per year until 2026-27 as part of the Government of Canada’s initiatives on plastic waste and pollution reduction. In the 2022–2023 project year, 54 projects were selected for funding from the Northern Contaminants Program.

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“The purchase of an EVOL press, one of the fastest technologies in the world, will allow us to continue our growth in the Northeast and increase our ability to serve our current and future customers,” Cascades president and CEO Mario Plourde said in a Feb. 6 news release. “This US$9 million investment is part of our 2022-2024 strategic plan and is aimed at increasing our integration rate by adding additional converting capacity”.

The Piscataway plant, started in 2018, currently serves the distribution and food processing markets. It is one of the newest and most modern in Cascades’ asset base. The purchase of this new press, the plant’s sixth, will increase production capacity by 17 per cent, or the equivalent of 480 million square feet. The installation of the press will be completed by the end of April, 2023.

The Piscataway plant currently employs over 175 people. This investment will require the hiring of 20 additional people in positions like general helpers, assistant operators, operators and shippers.

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The Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator will be an entrance point for all members of the community to learn more about trades and share employment opportunities. The space is named for Don Crich, founder of Auburn Developments, TerraCorp Management, Auburn Homes, and Stonerise Construction, who passed away in 2015. In a statement, Fanshawe officials described Crich as having been “passionate about construction and…a mentor to many people who wanted to work in the trades.”

“The opportunity to partner with Fanshawe College to celebrate my father’s legacy while simultaneously creating a unique space to support trades education in our community is extremely important to our family,” said Jamie Crich, president of Auburn Developments. “My sister, Karen, recognized it can be challenging for people who are interested in skilled trades to get started, and she saw community colleges as the link to helping people get into the field.”

The supply of workers is shrinking, and the number of jobs is expected to increase by 10 to 20 per cent over the next eight years. Fanshawe has more than 40 programs focused on skilled trades and apprenticeship, with more than 5,000 students studying in apprenticeship programs each year.

The Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator will be linked to the larger “Innovation Village” space at the centre of Fanshawe’s London campus which will house large presentation space for industry fairs and employer recruitment events. It will also feature smaller spaces that can be used by members of the trades community to meet with students, run smaller events, showcase employment opportunities and host mentorship and project work for students enrolled in trades programs across Fanshawe.

Innovation Village, along with the new welding lab completed in spring 2022, represent an investment of over $60 million made by the College to upgrade and reimagine skilled trades educational spaces to meet the critical labour market shortages in our community.

The Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator is expected to open in spring 2023.

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In a Feb. 6 news release, Sidel officials said that Makro’s low and medium-speed modular labelling machines “will complement our leading higher-speed technologies that are manufactured in our factory in Mantova, Italy and integrated into Sidel’s packaging lines.”

All Makro employees will be joining the Sidel Group, the release added, and Makro will continue to operate independently, as a unit of the Sidel Group, from its current headquarters.

“Joining forces with Sidel is an opportunity for further development and growth for [us],” Makro managing director Simone Marcantoni said. “We will be able to leverage and develop interesting synergies, exchange best practices, and offer an even richer experience for our employees and a broader portfolio to our customers.”

Makro was founded in 2009, and its machines can label up to five items per bottle in cold glue, hot glue, self-adhesive, and combination versions. The company is based in Goito (Mantova, Italy) and employs approximately 120 people.

Founded in 1965, Sidel offers equipment and services for packaging liquids, foods, home and personal care products in PET, can, glass and other materials.

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Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Acik

Swiss-based Benpac Group, which previously owned the now-defunct Ontario-based blow molding machine maker Amsler Equipment Inc., says it plans to return to the plastic bottle-making business in Canada.

According to the Benpac website, the Amsler PET bottle blow molding machines will be operated as the “Amsler” brand under the umbrella of Benpac Packaging Canada Ltd.

“During the first quarter of 2023, machines will be manufactured again in North America, and in July 2023, Benpac Packaging Canada will present a completely revised PET bottle stretching machine, which will not only take the latest energy standards into account but will also offer numerous features for optimal use, such as quality assurance standards and ERP [enterprise resource planning] system connections,” the website said.

The website also said that Benpac Packaging Canada will be moving into new headquarters in the Hamilton, Ont., region. “Also, the sales and service departments have been filled with new employees who will bring decades of experience in sales and technology with them,” the notice said. “We are looking forward to sharing more about this with you over the coming months.”

Benpac Holding Ltd. USA – a division of Benpac – bought Amsler Equipment in early 2020 and relocated the business from its original headquarters in Bolton, Ont., to a rented facility in Vaughan, Ont., owned by injection molding machine maker Niigon Machines Ltd. When Niigon declared bankruptcy in 2021, Amsler closed down too. Amsler’s assets were bought last year by blow molding machine maker Uniloy Inc. of Tecumseh, Mich.

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The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Effective immediately, Aarts Packaging will become part of TriMas Packaging, which also consists of Rieke, Affaba & Ferrari, Rapak, Taplast, Intertech, and Omega Plastics.

Aarts’ managing director Rob Geurtz will remain in that position.

Aarts is an injection molder of caps and closures for high-end cosmetics and fragrances; scoops, jars and capsules for food-related products; and pharmaceutical dosing containers and jars.

“Aarts Packaging also provides products for food packaging and medical applications, expanding our existing presence in those core end markets,” TriMas president and CEO Thomas Amato said in a Feb. 2 news release.

Aarts generated about 23 million euros (US$25 million) in sales in fiscal 2022, the release said.

Headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., TriMas has approximately 3,500 employees in 13 countries.

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