Extrusion International USA 2-2022

31 Extrusion International 2/2022 Automated Six-Axis Case Packer for Lid and Container Packaging Introduced „ Muller Technology, a leading global supplier of molds and automation solutions for thin-wall packaging, has announced the launch of an automated six-axis case packer for high-volume production of lid and container packaging. The new automation product, which incor- porates an industrial six-axis robot, helps to meet the volume-driven demands of U.S. processors while also delivering greater versatility, flexibility, and productiv- ity. The six-axis case packer delivers greater productivity than Muller’s recently launched collaborative robot (co- bot) case packer, according to Taras Konowal, Muller‘s Director of Sales and Marketing for North America. “The unit is one of our most productive systems for high-vol- ume packaging lines,“ said Konowal. It offers higher cavitation for the manufacture of blow molded bottles and thermoformed packaging. The unit offers highly ef- ficient cycle times, handling up to 64 cavities every six sec for lids and 5-sec cycles for containers. The case packer can be purchased separately or inte- grated into an automation. The new six-axis case packer offers portability, quick part changeover for different size configurations, and a favorable return on investment. It comes with exter- nal guarding and is equipped with all the latest safety features The product platform will be manufactured in Switzerland and Colorado. Muller has already sold sev- eral units for lids and containers in the U.S. and Cana- da. Muller Technology Colorado (formerly CBW Automation) www.muller-technology.com Solvay www.solvay.com Expansion „ SI Group announced that it has increased production capacity for ETHANOX™ 4716 and NAUGARD™ PS48 hin- dered phenolic ester antioxidants at its Jinshan, China facil- ity. The new capacity is now operational. The capacity expansion will help address the growing demand for antioxidants in the lubricants and plastics industries in Asia-Pacific and further strengthens SI Group’s position as a key partner to its customers. Joey Gullion, Chief Commercial Officer, commented: “Our in- vestment demonstrates SI Group’s commitment to sup- porting our customers’ growth in both the lubricants and plastics industries and is aligned with our brand promise to deliver the solutions they need with increased secu- rity of supply.” SI Group has a long history of manufacturing antioxidants for use in industrial lubricants, automotive fl uids, and en- gine oils. ETHANOX™ 4716 is an easy-to-handle liquid an- tioxidant, with low volatility designed for use in high-tem- perature applications. The company also has a broad portfolio of chemistries and innovative solutions for the polyol and polyurethane industries. NAUGARD™ PS48 stabilizer is a liquid phenolic antioxidant that provides excellent protection against deg- radation across many polymer applications. This expansion follows an earlier announcement by SI Group to invest more than $50 million across three manu- facturing sites to install globally competitive main antioxi- dant capacity in North America. SI Group www.siigroup.com position in the U.S. sulfone polymers market,” says Carmelo Lo Faro, president of Solvay's Materials segment. “Essen- tially, the expansions will address the growth potential of our sulfone products in high-performance life-saving and life-sustaining areas, such as healthcare, water puri fi cation and pharma processing.” Key application market segments to bene fi t from these investments include hemodialysis, medical instruments and pharmaceuticals – in both development and produc- tion, and water puri fi cation, where Solvay expects strong double-digit growth in terms of global demand. Moreover, high-performance sulfone polymers also play a growing role in residential and commercial heating and plumbing systems. Solvay has announced a major expansion plan to boost its production capacity for sulfone polymers in support of a growing global customer base in life-saving and life- sustaining application markets. First steps in this initiative will add more than 25% of capacity for both Udel ® poly- sulfones (PSU) and basic dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (DCDPS) at the company’s production sites in the United States by 2024. *Note: Udel ® , Veradel ® and Radel ® are registered trademarks of Solvay.