Companies give a glimpse into K plans at preview event
David Gray reporting from Mainz, Germany
A number of high-profile companies have given a glimpse into their plans for the impending K Fair in Dusseldorf this October, during a pre-event press conference in Mainz, Germany.
Recently rebranded Chemical group, Clariant, told media that its appearance at this year's K Show will include a host of new developments. Since the last K show, the group, which admits it has seen some difficult times in the past decade, says it has made a series of key structural changes which have helped form a new, stronger business model. Dr. Kai Rolker, Corporate Communications for Clariant stated: "You cannot compare the Clariant of 2008 to the Clariant of 2013. It's a completely different company."
Appearing for the first time at K this year will be the 'Addworks' brand, the new name for the polymer additives business group.
Ernesto Dongiovanni, Global Head of Marketing Polymer Additives, said of the new brand: "We distinguish two families of solutions. A family of Addworks is designed to serve the needs of specific applications in the plastics industry. Second is Addworks SLR, designed to provide speciality effects."
The group is also working on an Addworks ATR series, specifically for the automotive sector. The series will incorporate multi-functional stabilizers for polyamides, with the aim of boosting quality in moulded automotive parts.
In addition, PolyOne, a global specialist in additive technologies, gave attendees a preview of its K Fair stand today (June 6), with Holger Kronimus, Vice President of PolyOne Europe, highlighting the planned interactivity of the group's booth, with applications to go on display for visitors to see and touch.
During presentations, the company highlighted a theme of metal replacement, with Anne Hippert, Marketing Director, Engineering Materials Europe, emphasising the benefits of design freedom and corrosion resistatance, as well as the natural advantage of weight saving.
Hippert outlined a new partnership with Matériautech, a specialist in plastic design and innovation. The new co-operation allows PolyOne customers to streamline product development at the earliest stage.
John Voyce, PolyOne GLS TPEs outlined new innovations in the healthcare sector. Versaflex HC is a new TPE designed for use in infusion therapy stoppers and septums. The product is said to offer healthcare manufacurers excellent resealing performance. It achieves the coring performances required by ISO 15759, avoiding the harmful effects of sheared off articles.
Unlike vulcanised rubber, the product is a single-step injection moulded processing material. Additionally, it can reportedly reduce design complexity, in turn keep costs down.
Since the last K event, the group has acquired ColorMatrix, a specialist in liquid additive technologies.