Extrusion International 4-2018

11 Extrusion International 4/2018 First PHA platformWorld Congress 4th - 5th of September 2018, Cologne, Germany PHA (Poly-Hydroxy-Alkanoates) is a family of biobased poly- esters. Just like many mammals, including humans, that hold energy reserves in the form of body fat there are also bacte- ria that hold intracellular energy reserves in form of polymers (polyhydroxy alkanoates). Here the micro-organisms store a particularly high level of energy reserves (up to 80% of their own body weight) for when their sources of nutrition become scarce. Examples for such Polyhydroxyalkanoates are PHB, PHV, PHBV, PHBH andmany more. That’s why we speak about the PHA platform. This PHA-platform is made up of a large variety of bioplastics raw materials made from many different renewable resourc- es. Depending on the type of PHA, they can be used for appli- cations in films and rigid packaging, biomedical applications, automotive, consumer electronics, appliances, toys, glues, adhesives, paints, coatings, fibers for woven and non-woven and inks. So PHAs cover a broad range of properties and ap- plications. In about 30 high class presentations this congress will address the progress, challenges andmarket opportunities for the for- mation of this new polymer platform in the world. Every step in the value chain will be addressed. Raw materials, polymer manufacturing, compounding, polymer processing, applica- tions, opportunities and end-of-life options will be discussed by parties active in each of these areas. Progress in underlying technology challenges will also be addressed. Polymedia Publisher GmbH www.pha-world-congress.com GoodMood, RisingDemand Plastics are booming. But not only is demandon the rise, quality requirements specified for materials and processing are becom- ing stricter aswell. The Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing will present modern solutions for high-quality plastics processing in Friedrichshafen from the 16th through the 20th of October, 2018. The mood amongst European manufacturers of plastics and rub- ber processing machines is excellent. Production has increased to an estimated €15.3 billion since 2009, which corresponds to 99% growth over the last eight years. In 2017, production output of the industry sector organised under the Euromap umbrella as- sociation experienced above average growth amounting to 7%. And thus it’s no wonder that plastics processing companies are doing well, because plastics are not only being used in automo- tive and packaging technology more and more frequently, effi- ciently and diversely. Simultaneously risingdemand for better andbetter performance, aswell as top quality, necessitates an unrelenting innovative spirit and new developments. Whether injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming, foaming or 3D printing is involved – rawmateri- als producers, machine builders and manufacturers of precision parts will present all they have to offer in the way of innovation throughout the entire value chain at the exclusive industry meet. The trade fair with continuously growing international recogni- tion is taken advantage of by numerous exhibitors in order to unveil their new products to a broad-based audience for the first time. There’s no end in sight to the success of the industry sector (or Fakuma as its representative trade fair). Due to the persistent- ly good order situation, Euromap is expecting turnover growth amounting to 2% this year. Propensity to invest in newmachines and systems remains high, which is affecting lead-times for mate- rials and machine. At the same time, steady growth is being im- peded by the lack of qualified personnel. “This fact may well pro- vide additional impetus for the automation solutions exhibited at Fakuma”, surmises Fakuma project manager Annemarie Schur. Plastics are long since not just a German or European business factor. This is demonstrated by the expert visitors who have trav- elled fromdistant countries to attend the industry event in recent years. Expert visitors, specialists and decision-makers journeyed to the last event in 2017 frommore than 120 countries. 48,375 ex- pert visitors accepted the invitationof the roughly 1900 exhibitors to attend the event in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet – and the numbers con- tinue to rise. In addition to innumerable participants from Ger- many and elsewhere in Europe, above all the number of visitors from Asia is increasing. And the Asians are profiting from inter- national growth of the industry sector as well. In particular Chi- nese competitors have become stronger according to Euromap. In 2017 they produced machines and systems valued at €11.1 bil- lion – 180%more than in 2009. P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG www.Fakuma-Messe.de