Extrusion International USA 2-2022

22 Extrusion International 2/2022 INDUSTRY NEWS Universal PCR TPE – A Multitalented Compound for the Plastics Industry „ The latest solution from KRAIBURG TPE makes a post-con- sumer recycling proportion of 40% possible. The focus is also on quality and availability. That’s what the plastics manufac- turer is providing with its Universal PCR TPE – a compound with sophisticatedmechanics that can be used universally. The world of plastics is currently experiencing a surge in sus- tainability values – faster, higher, greener is what the desired material is expected to be. But quality is an issue that must not fall by the wayside. The most sustainable solution is the one that can continue to be used for a long time. That saves time, energy and resources and scores points with consumers. Sur- vey results prove this turnaround in preferences: Companies with a defective sustainability policy are punished, and people adjust their consumption patterns. Sustainability is a purchase criterion. KRAIBURG TPE is supporting customers with this shift in consumption behavior and, with Universal PCR TPE, is providingamultitalented compound that canbeused inmany different fi elds of application. KRAIBURGTPE’s latest thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) has been specially developed for consumer and industry applications and contains up to 40% post-consumer recyclate (PCR). In ac- cordance with ISO 14021, the manufacturer recycles materi- als that end consumers from households and industry can no longer use for their intended purpose. With its Universal PCR TPE, the competence leader is supporting customers and end users in implementing their sustainability targets and applica- tions and is presenting a tough plastic that provides plenty of possible applications and is suitable as an alternative for estab- lishedmarket solutions. Universal PCR TPE also has strong points in color and mechan- ics. Designers and developers appreciate the various color and tone options designed to meet people’s needs: Compounds are available in natural color as a basis for customer-speci fi c color solutions as well as in a gray color characteristic for re- cycled plastics. Another feature worth emphasizing is the compound’s processability, which is in no way inferior to that of standard solutions and sets new standards for PCR com- pounds. Product managers will bene fi t from constant and high quality as well as fromavailability in Europe. When need- ed, certi fi cates of conformity with REACH and RoHS can be is- sued on request. KRAIBURG TPE GmbH & Co. KG www.kraiburg-tpe.com The latest solution fromKRAIBURGTPEmakes apost-consumer recycling proportionof 40%possible (Image:©2022KRAIBURGTPE) Innovative Bonding Technology to Join Different Resin Materials Introduced „ Polyplastics, a leading global supplier of engineering ther- moplastics, has introduced an innovative bonding technol- ogy that is unlike traditional joining methods such as plastics welding or adhesion. AKI-Lock® has few restrictions on the materials that can be used and forms strong, airtight bonds with combinations of different materials for which bonding had previously been dif fi cult. AKI-Lock ® opens the door to a broad range of new product development possibilities. The bonding technology meets the increased market demand for weight reduction to ad- dress Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reduces the number of parts, and provides stable adhesive strength and longevity. The AKI-Lock ® technology uses the glass fi bers in glass fi ber reinforced resins as a physical anchor for bonding. Glass fi - ber is made bare by laser irradiation which is completed in a grid pattern. Strong bonds can then be achieved by pouring the resin to be bonded onto these anchors. Since the bond is formed by physical anchors, there is no time limitation from Polyplastics Co., Ltd. www.polyplastics-global.com/en/ laser treatment until bonding. Masking is unnecessary since speci fi c treatment areas can be identi fi ed. There is no need for etching solution to roughen the surface and no waste liquids or materials are produced. Airtightness is greatly enhanced due to three factors: the ef- fect of resin entering and fi lling the gaps between the glass fi bers; deformation in the grooves of the primary material due to the shear fl ow force of the secondary material; and crimping frommold shrinkage of the secondary material. AKI-Lock ® helps to reduce assembly work and the number of components, thus lowering overall cost. The joining sys- tem also helps to reduce environmental impact through the use of dry processes, including the elimination of adhesives. *AKI-Lock ® is a registered trademark of Polyplastics Co., Ltd. in Japan and in other coun- tries.