A new federal rule aimed at protecting workers in general industry from respirable crystalline silica exposure takes effect on June 23, 2018. “General industry” includes plastics manufacturing where precipitated and fumed silica may be used in plastics as fillers, thickeners or softeners and to aid flow for certain processing needs.
We recently celebrated some company success and in doing so, we took stock of our global market reach. Data visualization is a big thing these days, so we decided to have a crack at it ourselves. The geographic distribution of HTYAC plug assist materials is far and wide, all from our modest home in Massachusetts. Thanks to our long-standard support of the thermoforming industry, strong relationships with toolmakers and thermoformers, and our global network distributors, HYTAC materials are being used on all (?) 6 continents.
This year marked the 30th edition of Chinaplas, “Asia’s No.1 and the world’s No.2” plastics trade show. The event was back in Shanghai this year (it alternates between Guangzhou in southern China and Shanghai) and with 148,000 visitors over the 4-day period, it was definitely a highlight on the industry calendar. According to the show daily, about 150 countries and regions visited the show with the majority (68%) coming from China. The international pavilions were dominated by the Germans who displayed a wide range of machinery, materials and ancillary equipment. Discussions from the event reveal that German thermoforming machinery suppliers are landing large, multiple machine orders in both China and Taiwan. Not to be outdone, the Italians also secured large orders during the show.
Productive Plastics (Mount Laurel, NJ) is a leading plastics manufacturer specializing in heavy gauge thermoforming contract manufacturing. The company serves a wide variety of end markets including medical, automotive, signage, agricultural and transportation.