Page 38 - Plastics News February 2024

COMPANY NEWS

Silcotech Expands LSR Moulding Capacity with Two Injection Mold-
ing Machines

supplier of the new machines because
of their long history of success provid-
ing machines for LSR applications.

“Twenty-five years ago, we set out
to become a global leader of liquid
silicone moulded parts. Having spent
17 years in a technical capacity with
a world-renowned moulding machine
manufacturer, injection moulding ma-
chines were part of my DNA,” he said.
“At that time there were only two sig-
nificant players offering LIM options
for their moulding machines – Arburg
was one of them.” He continued,
ilcotech North America, a special- livery is scheduled for summer 2024. “Our decision to move forward with
Sist in Liquid Silicone Rubber (LSR) The new machines will be used to Arburg was clearly based on our his-
injection moulding, has announced its expand capacity at Silcotech's head- tory of success using their machines.
expanding capacity with the purchase quarters in Bolton, Ontario. They Their machines feature a sound me-
of two new injection moulding ma- will be added to the existing fleet to chanical design coupled with a very
chine workcells. handle growing business volume, and progressive control system.”
the new machines are sizes where in-
The two new Arburg machines in- creased capacity is needed, said Dan Isolde Boettger, vice president and co-
clude a 110 US ton ALLROUNDER Morris, Business Development Man- founder of Silcotech North America,
470 A 1000 - 290 Comfort, and a 220 ager at Silcotech. said, “Michael’s technical experience,
US ton ALLROUNDER 570 A 2000 coupled with Arburg’s very solid and
- 400 Comfort. Both are all-electric “Silcotech’s business has seen growth proven technology developments in
machines specified with LIM/LSR in the 15% to 20% per year range LSR moulding technology, were su-
moulding options as well as thermo- over the past two years and the perior when we made the decision
plastic moulding capabilities. They will outlook is to keep that pace that in to purchase our first two Arburg ma-
both be equipped with MULTILIFT FY2024 and beyond,” said Morris. chines in 1998 when we started Sil-
SELECT 8 servo electric robotics for Michael Maloney, Silcotech president, cotech North America.
parts removal and manipulation. De- said that Arburg was chosen as the

SABIC extends portfolio of non-PTFE lubricated materials

ABIC, a specialist in the chemical These new grades extend SABIC’s industry and other markets are seek-
Sindustry, has announced at MD&M LUBRILOY technology to additional ing self-lubricated solutions that don’t
West 2024 an expansion of its LNP base resins and feature a patented lu- incorporate these chemicals,” noted
LUBRILOY portfolio of internally lu- brication technology enabling OEMs Ralph R. Buoniconti, SABIC senior
bricated specialty compounds. to help avoid health and regulatory specialist, Regulatory. “SABIC has tak-
issues associated with materials con- en the lead in developing multiple new
The new LNP LUBRILOY products taining intentionally added PFAS. specialty compounds that can serve as
can meet customer demands for high- alternatives to polymers lubricated
performance alternatives to materi- “In the face of proposed European with traditional PTFE. By expanding
als lubricated with polytetrafluoro- and individual US state regulations se- and enhancing our LNP LUBRILOY
ethylene (PTFE), which is a per- and verely restricting or banning the use portfolio, SABIC aims to help custom-
polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS). of PFAS, customers in the healthcare

40 PLASTICS NEWS February 2024