Extrusion International 2-2022

18 Extrusion International 2/2022 INDUSTRY NEWS Distribution of Bioplastics „ The Cologne-based company BIO-FED and the Japanese Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha, Ltd. (KBK), Tokyo, signed a distribution agreement for the Japanesemarket at the beginning of 2022. BIO-FED, based in Cologne, is a branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH and a member of the Feddersen Group. BIO-FED produces and distributes biodegradable and/or biobased plastic compounds under the brand name M•VERA ® and had expanded its portfolio with ISCC PLUS and REDcert² sustainable certi fi ed M•VERA ® compounds made from biomass-balanced polypropylene (PP). “The bioplastics market in Japan has received a strong boost from the government’s “Resource Circulation Strat- egy for Plastics” roadmap,” says Dr. Stanislaw Haftka, Sales Director at BIO-FED. “With KBK, we have a competent and experienced partner at our side in this region who has a strong network in various industries in Japan,” Haftka con- tinues. “By working with BIO-FED, KBK will be able to better meet the needs of the growing market every day, with an even stronger focus on sustainable products,” says Tatsuya Oka- wa, General Manager, of Diversi fi ed & Innovative Materi- als Dept at KBK. KBK will distribute the complete M•VERA ® product range for blown fi lm extrusion, injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming applications in Japan, as well as the match- ing biodegradable or biobased masterbatches. BIO-FED, Branch of AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH www.bio-fed.com KBK’s headof fi ce on the7th fl oor of the Shin-Otemachi building inTokyo (Copyright Kyokuto Boeki Kaisha, Ltd. (KBK)) Reciprocating Head Introduced Automated Extrusion Process Drastically Changes the Extruded Pro fi le „ Guill Tool, a global manufacturer of extrusion tooling, has released its new reciprocating head. The traditional tip and die assembly is replaced with a linear reciprocat- ing assembly that changes the tube’s pro fi le within a given length. This process is repeated throughout a single extru- sion run without interruptions. Cutting capability, in asso- ciation with the extrusion speed, cuts the fi nished product to length. While cost and value stream activities are reduced, quality is improved. Only one extrusion run is needed to produce a fi nished product, as opposed to multiple extrusion runs with tooling changes along with a manual assembly operation to connect different tubing shapes. Guill’s new reciprocating head eliminates an assembly operation. It also eliminates in-process inventory. Thus, there is no need for storage of various tubing shapes and connectors needed for assembly, ful fi llment of orders and replenishment of fi nished goods. Furthermore, the reciprocating head eliminates a connect- ing piece, allows JIT production and products made-to- order. Lastly, it reduces total run time from receiving the order to shipping. For more information: Guill Tool & Engineering www.guill.com