Page 56 - Plastics News December 2020

Borealis collaborates to launch new PCR Wilmington Machinery Debuts Dual, Rotary
packaging closures
B orealis and MENSHEN, a leading specialist for
plastic closures and packaging systems, have
collaborated on a series of 10 packaging closures based
on Borcycle™, an evolving recycling technology which
transforms polyolefin-based waste streams into value-
adding versatile solutions. Borcycle is used to
manufacture a range of compounds made of recycled
polyolefins (rPO) which are ideal for use in
sophisticated rigid packaging applications. This
evolving technology unites the Borealis recycling and
compounding expertise with its own. These packaging
solutions are predominantly made for use in laundry
and homecare and include also 2K closures. MENSHEN
employs a rigorous process to ensure that the quality of
the post-consumer recycled (PCR) material selected
for a closure is in perfect alignment with its required
functionality. In the course of collaboration, Borealis
and MENSHEN determined that Borcycle™ UG522MO, a
polypropylene (PP) compound made of 50% PCR
content, would be the ideal choice for the new
closures, as it offers; Potential reduction of CO2
emissions by up to 15% when compared to use of
comparable virgin PP in similarly demanding packaging
solutions, Reliable and consistent high quality, making
it ideal for rigid packaging applications, A ready-made,
drop-in solution with processability rivalling virgin
polyolefins, Excellent end-of-life recyclability in
existing PCR streams. A core pillar of the mind-set is
that value chain collaboration is essential to making
plastics more circular,” says Meta Cigon, Borealis
Marketing Manager Consumer Products. “Teaming up
with MENSHEN to deliver high-quality closures made of
50% recycled PCR is proof positive that innovation and
teamwork can move the industry closer to a circular
economy. We are helping build a better tomorrow with
each step by reinventing for more sustainable living.”
DECEMBER 2020 56
Blow-Molding Machine
W Rotary Blow-Molding Machine that can handle
ilmington Machinery has introduced its Dual,
two bottles with different capacities at rates up to 600
bottles per minute. New blow-molding equipment
from Wilmington Machinery can handle two bottles
with different capacities at rates up to 600 bottles per
minute to match a filling line's speed. The MSBW60-DC
dual, rotary blow-molding machine has common
extrusion, die-head, and trimming components and is
capable of molding small one- to 10-ounce bottles for
single-serve drinks, personal-care products,
chemicals, and more. The 60-station, all-electric,
single- or dual-cavity wheels operate at the required
rate without a mold change. This dramatically reduces
setup time from one bottle size to the next by as much
as 75%. The machine quickly disconnects for
electrical, water, and pneumatic services reduce
wheel setup time from hours to a matter of minutes.
The Trimmer setup time is comparatively quick. With
this preventive maintenance can be performed on a
wheel while it is out of production, reducing time and
labor costs while ensuring that setup performs
correctly at startup. A unique rail system guides one of
the two wheels out of the molding system and guides
the other wheel into the molding position. Setup time
from one bottle size to the next reportedly is reduced
by as much as 75% on the MSBW60-DC dual, rotary
blow-molding machine. Image courtesy Wilmington
Machinery. The MSBW60-DC is currently available in
several configurations, including clamping
force/bottle size, single or dual parison, one to six
layers, radial mold positioning (aka variable pitch),
and custom features, as required. The cost of the
machine with the dual wheels and two sets of molds is
approximately 15 to 20% more than a single wheel with
two sets of molds, according to Wilmington Machinery.
If volume needs increase, one or the other wheel can
be retrofitted with its own extrusion and trimming
equipment, minimizing investment in a second
production line.
Plastics News