by Nick Sotos iD Additives, Inc. In the early 1980s, liquid color acquired a reputation as an unreliable method of coloring thermoplastics, primarily due to the lack of technology involving the carrier and delivery systems. Together with a limited supply base that was largely familiar with manufacturing dry powder and pellet concentrates, liquid color suppliers did not fully … [Read more...] about Liquid Color for Plastics: Friend or Foe?
2017 Spring
Managing the Supply Chain Squeeze
by Laurie Harbour Harbour Results, Inc. Supply chain management in manufacturing is by no means a simple process, and for the plastics processor it can be an even tougher challenge. Plastics processors experience what we like to call "the supply chain squeeze," where they typically are in the middle of two much larger manufacturing companies – the end customer and a large … [Read more...] about Managing the Supply Chain Squeeze
Association Reaches 20-Year Milestone
In the early 1990s, a small group of plastics processors began gathering in a hotel meeting room in Indiana with the goal of making the plastics industry more competitive. Bringing companies together in mini-clusters around a region to share common problems and work together to find solutions proved to be a concept that resonated. "Timing is key for everything, and at that … [Read more...] about Association Reaches 20-Year Milestone
Building a Successful Material-Handling System
by Doug Brewster, conveying product manager Conair Materials represent the single largest expense in most facilities. In today's world, having a reliable resin-handling system is as important as having reliable electrical power. The design, maintenance and operation of a material-handling system can have everything to do with how well the system meets production goals and … [Read more...] about Building a Successful Material-Handling System
Challenges in Plastics Industry Education
by Nancy Cates, contributing writer Plastics Business Ferris State University Big Rapids, Michigan Program enrollment: approximately 215 Degrees offered: BS in plastics engineering technology; AAS in plastics and polymer engineering technology In 1998, the National Elastomer Center, a 28,000-square-foot facility, was built to house state-of-the-art labs, classrooms … [Read more...] about Challenges in Plastics Industry Education