Extrusion International USA 6-2019

29 Extrusion International 6/2019 New Line of Thermoplastic Elastomers Made fromMarine Waste Plastics Launched Audia Elastomers, a global supplier of innovative elas- tomer materials, has announced the launch of its OP line of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) based on marine waste plastics. The OP line of elastomer materials includes prod- ucts with up to 45% marine waste and 70% total recycled material content in a wide range of hardness from 35 Shore A to 95 Shore A. This new range of high-performance materials increases the potential market for marine waste beyond basic PET fibers and containers and allows more brand owners the opportu- nity to help keep oceans clean and free from debris, accord- ing to Anthony Marozsan, market development manager for Audia Elastomers.Audia is focused on recapturing beach cleanup materials, commercial fishing gear, and ocean- bound plastics as the source for its innovative TPEs. “The OP product line is an example of Audia’s commitment to sustain- ability,” said Marozsan. “These materials offer our custom- ers a cost-effective way to incorporate marine plastics into products without sacrificing performance.” The challenge of ocean pollution is multifaceted and requires more than one solution, according to Marozsan. “The most important step in stopping and preventing ocean waste is in- tercepting waste before it ever enters the oceans or a water- way,” he said. “A key component of this initiative is to create a market for recycled plastic from regions with poor existing waste infrastructure before it enters the ocean.” Elastomer compounds allow more design freedom and end uses for marine plastics versus single resin recycling. Audia Elastomers incorporates these marine waste materials into its formulations via its proprietary compounding technology. Raw material sources are customized for each brand owner to focus on at-risk recycling, fishing gear, or beach clean-up. These materials can compete in high-performance applica- tions with conventional TPEs, TPVs, and TPU chemistries for use in consumer goods, toys, electronics, and sporting equip- ment. Audia Elastomers is working closely with customers to com- mercially adopt its new marine waste-based TPEs for select end-use applications. Audia Elastomers, www.audiaelastomers.com Key Capacity Expansions announced Modern Dispersions Inc., a leading global supplier of thermo- plastic compounds and concentrates, has announced key capac- ity expansions at its Leominster,Mass. and Fitzgerald, Ga. manu- facturing facilities. Modern Dispersions is adding a 133-mm twin-screw extruder and ancillary equipment to significantly increase production ca- pabilities for engineered compounds and masterbatches at the Georgia plant. The new capacity is in response to strong growth in a range of markets including automotive, electrical compo- nents, and electronics packaging. “The new line gives us more flexibility, reduced lead times, and allows us to remain cost competitive as we strive to meet the supply needs of our customers,” said Jan Kozma, vice president of sales and marketing for Modern Dispersions. “We are con- stantly investing in our resources, including facilities and person- nel, to service our customers more efficiently.” Modern Dispersions also announced additional capacity for black masterbatches for polyolefins at the Georgia plant. And ModernDispersions also announced the installation of a 50-mm Steer twin-screw extruder for a new pilot line at its Leominster, Mass. plant. The new R&D pilot line will help the company de- velop new engineering plastics formulations for nylon, polycar- bonate, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resins and sup- port initial scale-up and pre-production needs. The twin-screw extruder will have a capacity of 1500 kg/hr (3000 lb/hr). Modern Dispersions, Inc. (MDI) www.moderndispersions.com