Perstorp recruits Patrice Pinsard as EVP Strategic Markets & Innovation

Malmö October 18, 2021 – Perstorp is excited to announce that Patrice Pinsard has been appointed EVP Strategic Markets & Innovation as of October 18, where he will drive value creation and growth focusing on Perstorp’s portfolio of specialty chemicals.

Patrice Pinsard is an experienced executive with a long track record in the chemicals industry, a PhD in Fine Chemicals from the Université de Rennes, and an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Ecole Nationale de Chimie de Rennes. He has held senior positions in companies such as Rhodia and Cognis and, most recently as Global EVP Coatings, Industrial Solutions & Amines at Solvay.

“I am very proud to be joining the team as I believe Perstorp has all the means to grow as a true specialty company that will create sustainable solutions for a great future”, Patrice Pinsard comments.

Jan Secher, Perstorp President & CEO, says:

“We are excited to have such an experienced professional as Patrice joining us at this stage in our transformation. His appointment fits perfectly with our strategy of focusing more on selective segments and the specialty part of our portfolio. Patrice has proven more than once that he knows what it takes and with his strong result orientation and track record I am convinced this will be a win-win, for us and him.”

In the first quarter of 2021, Perstorp redefined its business strategy to become a leading sustainable solutions provider, focusing on the global Resins & Coatings, Engineered Fluids and Animal Nutrition markets. This strategic direction will see Perstorp focus its specialty chemicals growth initiatives primarily on selected customer segments where innovation and services are prioritized, and with a focus on Asia as the main driver for future growth. Perstorp’s strategy also reconfirms the company’s aspiration to be among the front-runners in sustainability.

In his role as EVP for Strategic Markets & Innovation, Patrice Pinsard will drive value creation and growth of Perstorp’s portfolio of specialty chemicals, with emphasis on the focus segments Resins & Coatings and Engineered Fluids.

Innovative products are setting new standards for post-processing and surface refinement

At this year’s formnext in Frankfurt AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology is presenting not one but three trend setting machines. The new S1 Wet was specifically developed for the removal of residual powder and the surface homogenization and smoothing of metallic 3D components. With the S2 the experts for automated post processing solutions are presenting the first shot blast machine for treating 3D printed components made from polymers in indexing, continuous flow mode. Of particular interest will be the C2 system that allows the chemical surface smoothing and application of a color dye in one single machine.

The increasing utilization of additive manufacturing for volume production of standard components goes hand-in-hand with increasing demands for quality, consistency and cost efficiency of the post processing and surface refinement operations for 3D printed components. For this purpose AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology, the division of Rösler Oberflächentechnik GmbH that specializes in automated post processing and surface finishing solutions, presents various innovative developments at this year’s formnext (hall 12, booth C 119). The new systems were specifically developed for volume production of 3D printed components made from metal and plastic.

Consistent de-powdering, surface homogenization and smoothing of metal components

One of these developments is the wet blast machine S1 Wet that was specifically developed for post processing 3D printed components made from metal. Besides the removal of residual powder, the compact plug and play system also allows the surface homogenization and smoothing. Depending on the surface roughness of the raw components, the S1 Wet can produce low Ra values. To a certain extent, this is even possible on the surface areas of internal passages and / or cavities. The wet process prevents small metal particles removed from the work pieces, dust and shavings from creating a combustible or explosive mixture. Therefore, it does not require the installation of protective ATEX accessories. The water layer created on the part’s surface prevents from abrasive media inclusions. As an option, an integrated waste water recycling system consistently removes any contaminants from the slurry consisting of blast media and water limiting the water consumption. The S1 Wet system can be used for a variety of post processing tasks ranging from the manual processing of single components to fully automatic batch operation.

Efficient post processing in indexing continuous flow mode

Placing entire batches of plastic components, produced with powder-bed printing systems, into a machine, selecting the respective processing program, and everything else running fully automatically. With its new ATEX compliant S2 shot blast machine, AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology is fulfilling this demand for effective, time- and personnel-saving post processing with repeatable results. After being placed in the machine, the work pieces are gently passing through a special troughed belt in single-piece flow. This allows the complete removal of any residual powder. Depending on the utilized blast media, the work piece surface can also be homogenized or peened. The blast media cleaning and recycling system, integrated into the plug and play system, is a major reason for achieving absolutely clean and repeatable results. It ensures that the blast media remains at a consistently high quality. A patent application covering the machine and the process is pending.

Eco-friendly chemical surface smoothing and application of a dye in one single machine

The design of the C2, presented at formnext as a concept solution, is based on Rösler’s comprehensive knowhow in the fields of equipment building and consumables. The innovative C2 system (pending patent application) allows the fully automatic chemical surface smoothing of 3D printed components made of common polymers and elastomers (including TPU) in series. Thus, the costly single piece handling of the work pieces is completely eliminated for this post processing operation. In addition, a future, retrofittable update will also allow the application of a color dye on the work pieces. Of particular interest is that the non-hazardous processing media, developed by AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology, permits the eco-friendly chemical surface smoothing so that the spent media can be easily disposed of without any environmental restrictions. The new C2 will be available commercially in the first quarter of 2022.

AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology at the formnext, hall 12, booth C119.
www.solutions-for-am.com

Agr International introduces the Gawis 4D ® measurement system with robotic handling

Gawis 4D configured with the AF robotic handling system provides a means to maximize laboratory throughput while achieving the highest measurement precision for preforms and bottles.

As speeds increase, weights are reduced and recycled material is becoming a significant factor in bottle
production, regular testing and measurement of production samples is essential to properly manage
quality. However, with limited personnel and equipment, laboratory throughput can be a challenge for
many production facilities, potentially compromising quality efforts. Agr International’s Gawis AF
robotic handling system, in conjunction with the Gawis 4D measurement system, provides a solution for
meeting both the need for comprehensive testing/measurement of bottles as well as a means to address
throughput demands.

The Agr Gawis 4D is designed to automate quality checks by consolidating numerous dimensional and
thickness measurement operations, typically performed by hand, on individual bottles or preforms into a
single hands-free operation, completed in a matter of seconds. The addition of the robotic handling
system takes this to the next step. With the handling system, the Gawis 4D can not only measure
individual bottles, but also perform measurement on complete sets of bottles or preforms. It can be
operated on a continuous basis, without operator intervention, maximizing testing throughput while
freeing laboratory personnel for other more critical tasks.

The Gawis AF robotic handling system interfaces seamlessly with the measurement system. It can be
purchased with a new system or retrofitted to existing systems operating in the field. Central to the system
is a precision pick and place industrial robot that manages sample selection and placement of samples into
the Gawis 4D for measurement. Operation is fully integrated. All controls and operations including
overall job setup, robot, sample coordination, as well as activation and control of individual test
sequences are handled through the Gawis4D user interface.

For sample management, samples are hosted in a multi-level carousel that is outfitted with rotating tiers
designed to positively position samples for robot access. The tiers can be configured to accommodate
bottles from single or multiple mold rounds, or a complete mold set of preforms. Each tier is fitted with
spring activated sample grips that provide positive bottle control and positioning for the robot yet allow

Energy-efficient production with DIEFFENBACHER Energy savings in the production of high-quality composite components with adaptive accumulator management and short- stroke presses

Rising energy costs have composite manufacturers worldwide focused on energy-efficient production. With its press series featuring a short-stroke closing system and adaptive accumulator management, DIEFFENBACHER, a supplier of complete composite systems, offers
customers proven solutions for saving energy.

DIEFFENBACHER short-stroke presses are designed for minimum energy consumption, high press forces and short cycle times. Presses close with small cylinders until just before the position where forming takes place. Thereafter, large cylinders act with the corresponding press force. This makes it possible to reduce the oil volume by 88% compared with conventional concepts. Additionally, the DIEFFENBACHER closing system allows individual programming of the starting position of the forming. The result is high flexibility as well as large opening heights and good accessibility for parts handling.

Adaptive accumulator management optimizes energy consumption by automatically determining during the first press strokes the exact energy required for forming. For subsequent production cycles, the hydraulic drive accumulator is charged only to the corresponding required pressure level. All settings are determined automatically by the machine control system, reducing the load on the machine to a minimum.

Through the short-stroke closing system and adaptive accumulator management, DIEFFENBACHER customers increase the energy efficiency of their production and avoid unnecessary system losses during pressure relief after forming, significantly reducing cooling water requirements.

“Sustainability is important to our customers, and energy reduction is a key component of sustainability,” explains Marco Hahn, Sales Manager of the Forming Business Unit at DIEFFENBACHER. “In addition to short-stroke presses and adaptive accumulator management, we have many other ideas for saving energy and resources. Every day we work with customers
to develop customized concepts that increase the energy efficiency of their composite plants.”

ECI Group, in partnership with Repsol, signs an Engineering Expertise Agreement for Shandong Yulong’s integrated refining and petrochemical complex

ECI Group will provide the technology, design, and training for the facility, and support through commissioning, start-up, and production for this new dual-stream high-pressure plant.

Repsol will offer its knowledge in the production and operation for the new 200,000 tons per year ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer plant and know-how regarding the development of EVA differentiated applications.

ECI Group has signed an Engineering Expertise Agreement with Shandong Yulong Petrochemical Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of China’s Nanshan Group, for a dual-stream plant capable of producing 200,000 tonnes per year of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and other associated high-pressure copolymers in the future. 

The plant will be part of Shandong Yulong’s 20 million tonnes per year refining and petrochemical integrated project, a mega complex to be located in the Province of Shandong. ECI Group will provide the technology, design, and training for the facility, as well as support through commissioning, start-up, and production.

Cutting-edge online buying experience to medical and pharma packaging materials

 Knowde, the marketplace for ingredients, polymers and chemistry, has launched the plastics for medical and pharmaceutical packaging segment of its global platform.

Using Knowde, specifiers, converters, compounders and buyers can search, filter, collaborate, request samples and quotes, and purchase medical-grade vinyl polymers, polyolefins, polyamides, polycarbonates, high-performance thermoplastics, polyesters and copolyesters and more — all in one place. 

Nearly a thousand of the industry’s top suppliers are on Knowde, including DuPont, AdvanSix, Braskem, Vynova, RTP Company, Teknor Apex, DayGlo® and Eastman.

“Healthcare companies have to balance consumer demands for better, more user-friendly and more sustainable packaging and medical devices with strict regulatory requirements,” said Dan Haas, Chief Commercial Officer at Knowde. “Knowde’s powerful search capabilities enable them to navigate these challenges because they can explore materials by chemistry, application, function, technical properties and more.” 

Signup is free for R&D and procurement professionals, who also get access to KnowdeConcierge™, which provides expert advice and insight on all manufacturer, brand and product pages, and ensures prompt replies to inquiries.

“Knowde is building the largest business-to-business marketplace in the world, and currently has more than 3,500 suppliers, 125,000 products, and tens of thousands of buyers,” said Haas.

For suppliers, a Knowde storefront provides everything they need to move online quickly and meet the new needs of customers who want a better online buying experience. Knowde also offers targeted digital marketing tools to help providers build storefront traffic and robust analytics to support data-driven decision making.

“Healthcare companies have to balance consumer demands for better, more user-friendly and more sustainable packaging and medical devices with strict regulatory requirements. Knowde’s powerful search capabilities enable them to navigate these challenges because they can explore materials by chemistry, application, function, technical properties and more.”

Dan Haas, Chief Commercial Officer at Knowde

www.knowde.com. 

MACHINEX VICTORIOUS IN PATENT INFRINGEMENT LAWSUIT AGAINST GREEN MACHINE

Machinex Industries Inc. and Machinex Technologies Inc., (“Machinex”) have won a significant victory in a lawsuit brought by American competitor, Green Machine Sales LLC (“Green Machine”).  As a result, Green Machine’s U.S. Patent 9,950,346 (“the ’346 patent”) for its Green Eye® Optical Sorter has been declared invalid.

Since Spring 2019, Machinex has been battling false allegations of patent infringement asserted by Green Machine in a North Carolina lawsuit.  From day one, Machinex has reassured its clients and partners that it would defend Machinex’s Mach Hyspec® optical sorter from Green Machine’s charges that it infringed the ’346 patent.  In addition, Machinex asked the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“PTO”) to declare Green Machine’s ’346 patent invalid.

The PTO did just that on October 4, 2021, issuing a Final Written Decision that all claims of the ’346 patent were unpatentable.  In a filing last week with the North Carolina court, Green Machine admitted it has no valid U.S. patent claims to assert against Machinex and stated that it will not be appealing the PTO’s decision invalidating the ’346 patent.  Today, Green Machine asked the North Carolina court to dismiss the lawsuit against Machinex and the Mach Hyspec® optical sorter with prejudice.

Machinex apologizes for any inconvenience or concerns that Green Machine or this case may have caused to Machinex’s clients and partners.

As an industry pioneer, we take pride in improving technologies and developing our own innovative sorting technologies every day and will continue to do so with passion.

https://www.machinexrecycling.com/

INEOS STYROLUTION NAMED FINALIST IN CHEMICAL WEEK SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS 2021

• Company’s commitment and actions to shift to renewable feedstock recognised by Chemical Week

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, today announced that it has been chosen by Chemical Week as a finalist in the magazine’s sustainability awards 2021 in the category “best sustainable feedstock initiative”.

The INEOS business was nominated as a finalist for its bio-attribution approach to use renewable feedstock in its petrochemical installations, developed together with the INEOS Group and Scandinavian bio-refineries.

Using this approach, the company has taken steps to substitute fossil with renewable feedstock to produce Styrolux® ECO and Styroflex® ECO, the world’s first specialty grades made from kitchen waste and wood waste. Therefore, this feedstock does not compete with food nor with land use. This method reduces CO₂ emissions and maintains technical, quality and regulatory properties of the products, without need to alter specification or production processes.

The feedstock sources, supply chain and production processes have been certified by the Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) and the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), to comply with the highest sustainability certification criteria.

This is the second consecutive year in which INEOS Styrolution has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Chemical Week Sustainability Awards. In 2020, the company was named a finalist in the category “Best Sustainability Initiative”.

Mark Beitz, Head of Sustainability, R&D & Regulatory at INEOS Styrolution says: “It is an immense honour to be recognised for our efforts to reduce our use of fossil fuel feedstock as well as reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Our aim is to expand this attribution approach to other sites to further integrate renewable and recycled raw materials into our products.”

The Sustainability Awards’ winners will be announced on 18 November 2021 at Chemical Week’s Financial Outlook & Sustainability Forum.

About INEOS Styrolution

INEOS Styrolution is the leading global styrenics supplier, with a focus on styrene monomer, polystyrene, ABS Standard and styrenic specialties. With world-class production facilities and more than 90 years of experience, INEOS Styrolution helps its customers succeed by offering innovative and sustainable best-in-class solutions, designed to give them a competitive edge in their markets, and at the same time, help make the circular economy for styrenics a reality. The company provides styrenic applications for many everyday products across a broad range of industries, including automotive, electronics, household, construction, healthcare, packaging and toys/sports/leisure. In 2020, sales were at 4 billion euros. INEOS Styrolution employs approximately 3,600 people and operates 20 production sites in ten countries.

More information: www.ineos-styrolution.com

Gecko Green Line Premium: hubergroup continues to advance the sustainability of its portfolio

After the recent announcement of the Cradle to Cradle certification for its water-based HYDRO-X series, hubergroup Print Solutions is now following up with solvent-based inks. The Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute certified the flexographic and gravure ink series Gecko Green Line Premium with Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze. Thereby, hubergroup gives printers and packaging manufacturers the assurance that the composition and production of the ink series are designed sustainably.

Back in 2018, Gecko Green Line Premium was the first flexographic and gravure ink series worldwide to receive the C2C Certified Material Health Certificate^TM at the Silver level. Since then, the ink specialist has continued to push the issue of sustainability within the company and has now achieved full certification at Bronze level for the ink series. As part of this certification, the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute does not only evaluate environmental and human toxicity (“material health”) but also the categories of recyclability/circularity, use of renewable energy and carbon management, responsible water management and compliance with social standards.

Dr Lars Hancke, Business Development Manager Flexible Packaging at hubergroup, explains: “We look at sustainability holistically. After receiving the C2C Certified Material Health certificate, the logical next step for us was to organise our actions and processes even more sustainably. The Cradle to Cradle Certified Products Program was exactly the right approach for us, as it is very comprehensive and rigorous.” 

Dr Lutz Frischmann, Global Product Director Flexible Packaging, adds: “Printers and packaging manufacturers can use our Gecko inks as usual. The certification has no impact on the application – it just gives our customers the assurance that we use high-quality, sustainable, and forward-looking products.”

Whether for water-based or solvent-based flexo and gravure printing, or even for offset printing – hubergroup now offers printing inks with full Cradle to Cradle certification for all these printing processes, enabling an extremely wide range of applications. This makes the ink specialist one of the companies with the broadest portfolio of sustainable printing inks.