Page 48 - Plastics News February 2021

produCt news

Dow adds bio-based option to Sica investing in sustainable

elastomers range pipe cutting products

ow Packaging and Specialty Plastics has added a bio- ica, an Italian plastic pipe machinery manufacturer,
Dbased option to its Affinity GA range of polyolefin Shas contributed to a sustainable world through its
elastomers.Affinity RE consists of three grades with 100 ‘green machines initiative. In fact, its investments in
per cent bio-based content on a mass balance basis to research and development are geared to machines
optimise the carbon footprint of hot melt adhesives. that reduce process costs, reduce energy and material
Henkel has confirmed that it will be used as part of its consumption and avoid plastic dust and chips recycling,
assuring a clean and safe environment. One example
is the patented solution to cut and chamfer PVC pipes
without removing material. After years of research,
Sica is now promoting a saw that warms a portion of
the pipe before it is cut with a parting knife, creating
a bevel by shaping the heated portion instead of using
a chamfer tool that removes material, which creates
dust and/or chips. This innovation enables a noiseless
cut and avoids the expensive need for recycling
material, cleaning the environment around the saw and
downstream. With traditional saws, even when there is
Technomelt Supra Eco hot melt adhesives range. Affinity an excellent vacuuming system for dust and chips, it
RE is made using bio-based feedstock such as tall oil – a cannot completely avoid chips depositing on the saw
by-product created by the paper-milling industry and mechanism or on the cut pipe. Therefore, pipes will
sourced from sustainably managed forests. Its mass always carry part of the scrap material with them on
balance is certified by the International Sustainability their way towards the belling machine or the end of the
and Carbon Certification. Dow said Affinity RE offers an line. Another interesting innovation in the field of cutting
alternative to fossil fuel-based products and can help swarfless pipes is the patent-pending electric saw for
to reduce carbon footprint while delivering the same HDPE, PP-R, multilayer and PVDF pipes. Each cutting
well-known performance as the entire Affinity GA range. movement is electric, silent, precise and extremely
Consumers expect more sustainability from the products
they use, and packaging is no exception, explained Imran
Munshi, Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics consumer
marketing manager for Europe, the Middle East and
Africa. “We want to support the industry to not just meet
consumer expectations but to proactively set ever higher
sustainability ambitions, Munshi said. “At Dow, we’re
proud to be embarking on a journey towards greater
sustainability alongside an innovative customer such as
Henkel.”Jenna Koenneke, global head of market strategy
for consumer good adhesives at Henkel, said consumers,
brand owners, regulators, and the industry are demanding
change.The use of bio-based material in consumer goods repetitive. In particular, for the movement of the cutting
and packaging has been identified as an important driver arm, the machine has been equipped with an innovative
for sustainable sourcing and lever to reduce environmental compact servo-actuator which integrates the motor
footprint. “When the opportunity came to work with and gear unit, and which guarantees superior thrust
Dow to bring to life this sustainable solution, we saw it force even at high speeds, impact resistance, complete
as a chance and a responsibility towards the industry and absence of vibrations and high efficiency – all translate
consumers to offer the best.” into superior final quality of the cutting process.

Plastics News Februar y 2021 48