Page 30 - Plastics News September 2019

FEATURES

these alternatives can be easily explored. Moreover the the key. Industry
question on the economics, accessibility and availability should be given
of alternatives remains unanswered. The Centre and a timeline for
states The Centre and states need to focus on a clear transition via tax
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actions by using a combination of regulatory, economic keeping certain
and voluntary tools involving various stakeholders. For eco-friendly
multi-layered packaging, apart from extended producer materials tax-
responsibility (EPR) which should have schemes such as free. This, along
Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), consumer responsibility with regular
should also be worked upon by targeted campaigns and compliance,
social engineering tools to make people aware of the monitoring and
concerns and alternatives to plastics. enforcement,
will help India
The fact that we are in the middle of an economic slowdown
ought to weigh on the minds of the Modi government’s eventually.
policymakers. Even if getting rid of single-use plastics Public policy should therefore focus on incentivising the
industry to produce reusable designs and educating the
SURYHV WR EH D JRRG WKLQJ LV WKLV WKH ULJKW WLPH WR GR LW" people on the importance of reuse. It has to be done
No is the answer. If not a ban on single-use plastics, what gradually, with nudges and incentives, not with a hard ban.
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Water Injection helps in Lightweighting Car Door Panel

Matthew Naitove
Renault introduces a lightweight-construction prototype automobile called Eolab using water injection as it
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ater injection is more commonly accepted in Europe The aim was to meet current and future requirements
:and Asia than in the U.S. today as it requires different and regulations, while also saving vehicle weight and
mold-design features than gas injection for several delivering new features and functions to the customer.
reasons. However, recently Renault in France introduced Of course, increased use of thermoplastics was one of the
a lightweight-construction prototype automobile called solutions evaluated, and converting the side-door modules
from metal-frame construction to plastics became one
of the projects. In order to keep weight to a minimum,
Renault designers planned to use gas assist to hollow out
this critical channel.

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popular Megane Coupe, the challenge was to develop a
replacement for the door’s central structural layer using
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frame solution would meet several critical objectives:

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features without assembly or welding.
Eolab. Among the objectives of the project was the ‡ /RZHU ZHLJKW 7KH WKHUPRSODVWLF VWUXFWXUH ZHLJKHG
investigation of materials and production methods that almost 6 kg (13 lb) less than the steel design.
could be applied to exterior bodywork.
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cycle.

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