Page 59 - Plastics Nuews October 2017

PRoDuCT NEWS

Rotational mold Maus maker Evonik developes new MMA

shows off hybrid design production process

erman rotational mold maker Maus GmbH made a vonik AG is developing new process for producing
Gmold using steel and machined aluminum sections to Emethyl methacrylate (MMA), an important
rotomold a portable toilet. case study for the portable precursor for acrylic and for specialty applications
toilet. The customer had used older steel molds, and the such as contact lenses and adhesives. Evonik engineers

have named the technology LiMA, an acronym that
reflects their ambitions: LiMA stands for Leading in
Methacrylates.

The process is currently being tested at a pilot plant
in Darmstadt, Germany.Intelligent process set-up and
control and a highly efficient new catalyst result in
final product yields exceeding 90 percent. Because it
uses considerably less energy, the process also reduces
carbon dioxide emissions by up to 40 percent.

LiMA begins with ethylene and methanol. These
then undergo multiple reaction steps to produce
methacrolein. Evonik has developed a new catalyst
system that can convert the methacrolein to methyl
top and bottom of the toilet have several through holes methacrylate in a single step. The new system is
and other components. efficient and stable, with very little ’bleeding’, where

"When it came out of the cooling stage, [operators] really individual components of the catalyst are gradually
had to use a lot of force to slam out the pins for the lost from the carrier with reaction time. By-products
through holes says Oliver Wandres, managing director and catalyst toxins are removed during preliminary
of Maus in Karlsruhe, Germany. Maus made a steel mold process stages.
for the side sections, but decided to make CNC machined
aluminum molds for the large roof and the bottom floor,
complete with pneumatic cylinders for easy opening
and closing of the clamps. In traditional rotomolding,
operators unbolt the mold on every shot to remove parts
and load resin. Pneumatic clamps offer another benefit.
They are retracted when the part is in the cooling station,
not by operators in the part-removal stage.
"It's always a repeatable production," Wandres said.
"Demolding is a piece of cake, where before the operators
were swearing all the time." In the United States, Maus The overall favorable process design as well as
partners with Norstar Aluminum Molds Inc moderate reaction conditions minimize wastewater
streams, engineering work, and maintenance needs.
Using state-of-the art and process-optimized technology, Another advantage of the technology is its use of
the company develop, design and manufacture rotational
moulds for individual projects as well. petrochemical raw materials, which are readily
available throughout the world.

59 Octob er 2017 | Plastics News