Extrusion International USA 6-2020

32 Extrusion International 6/2020 EXTRUSION INTERNATIONAL INDUSTRY NEWS Support for U.S. Department of Energy one million U.S. jobs and a half-trillion dollars in domestic eco- nomic value, according to PLASTICS’ recent 2020 Size & Impact report. Plastic itself is an energy-ef fi cient material, crucial to light-weighting automobiles and airplanes, reducing fuel costs and preventing food waste. PLASTICS has long been involved in efforts to further advance- ments in such areas as advanced recycling, improving traditional mechanical recycling, bioplastics, and repurposing of plastics as fuel. Radoszewski emphasized the importance of such ef- forts in his remarks today: “The plastics industry shares the con- cerns people have about our products ending up where they shouldn’t. An all-of-the-above recycling strategy is an important part of the solution.” The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) plasticsindustry.org „ The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) expressed its sup- port for U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to provide over $27 million in funding for projects supporting the development of advancedplastics recycling technologies andnewplastics that are recyclable-by-design. “This forward-thinking move from the Department of Energy will be key to realizing the potential of some great recycling research and development going on across the country,” said PLASTICS President and CEO, Tony Radoszewski. He added, “Plastics are at the center of life in the 21st Century. We all enjoy their bene fi ts every day. Efforts like this, part of DOE’s outstand- ing Plastics Innovation Challenge, will help us all to enjoy those many bene fi ts with greater con fi dence about the effect we’re having on the environment.” In addition to the many plastic products Americans use every day, plastics – the 8th largest industry in the U.S. – supports over New BlowMolding Machines Cook. “The low melt temperature permits shorter cooling times and more parts per minute, and it supports pipette manufacturers’ useofheat-sen- sitive additives for certain products without the need to change the equipment setup.” The X-800 lining for the Xaloy barrels is a nickel-based alloy with tungsten carbide that provides a longer working life than alter- native carbide inlays. Rocheleau’sdrivetomeeturgentdemandforpipettesexempli fi es the important role that plastics have played in combating COVID- 19, saidStevenR. Rocheleau. “As a family-ownedbusiness,weare grateful for the opportunity tomake an impact on the pandemic by addressing an urgent, global demand for pipettes. It has been very encouraging for our employees tomake this happen, know- ing that they havemade a contribution to the fi ght.” Xaloy ® screws and barrels are basic components for the extru- sion and molding of medical products, personal protection equipment, and packaging used for combating COVID-19, not- ed Seeni Congivaram, director of sales and marketing for Xaloy products. “Today, tubing and connectors, blood bags, proce- dure kits, and other medical devices are playing critical roles in addressing the surge of hospital cases caused by the pandemic. Film and sheet products have been essential for preventing the spread of coronavirus infection. And packaging containers have made it possible for millions of people in lockdown to get fresh food and hot meals.” Rocheleau Tool & Die Co. www.rocheleautool.com Nordson Polymer Processing Systems www.nordsonpolymerprocessing.com „ International suppliers of products for medical testing have invested heavily to expand production of plastic laboratory consumables to meet global demand for COVID-19 testing. For the manufacture of LDPE pipettes, Rocheleau has encountered a massive demand for its blow molding systems. Rocheleau is equipping this machinery with Xaloy ® components from Nord- son, includingbimetallicbarrelswithX-800 ® linings andFusion™ barrier screws. “We are building equipment for pipette production in record time,” said Steven R. Rocheleau, president. “Each machine in- cludes components from multiple vendors, and Nordson has provided us with con fi dence by delivering screws and barrels from its Austintown, Ohio facility ahead of schedule, enabling us to focus on other issues that demand attention.” The Xaloy Fusion screwwas speci fi ed for the project because of its ability to maintain a consistently lowmelt temperature while producing high output rates, noted Rob Cook, Nordson man- ager of processor sales in the Americas. “While regrind based on blowmolding trim is more sensitive to process variables than virgin resin, the Fusion screw ensures a uniformmelt,” said Rob Rocheleau blowmolding machine Pipettes Xaloy ® screw and barrel