Additives for Plastic: business and technical factors

Published on: 12 January 2021 Last Updated on: 23 December 2024

What are additives for plastic?

Plastics additive essentially defines the actual plastic material (final product). Polymers are the base materials, but additives really determine all the design and manufacturing factors of end products. They also determine how a product will be used (strength, weight, color, safety, price, and design). This makes the application knowledge of additive the real engineering design determining factor.

The additive sales engineering consultant is a useful resource to give clients information on their products and their use:

Material formulation
Industry-specific regulations (i.e. electrical, industrial, home, children use)
Manufacturing techniques
Business-related information: cost, delivery,

Additive plastics regulations:

Regulations on plastics additive cover both manufacturing and end product. Most regulations are available as original written text, but knowing how to understand and apply them is key to design and manufacturing. Here each manufacturer will be able to apply their knowledge to your design. Manufacturers with a long history and many designs will also be able to help in your final testing and regulation qualification process. The bigger the supplier and more qualification test it has gone through, the easier the process will be.

Regulations are usually tested and qualified in the application sector. Electrical, home, office fire-related testing, and qualification may be different in a country than building and construction regulations. This we see in companies specializing in each sub-sector.

Cost-effective additive use:

Additives are a standard method to control cost in plastics manufacturing. By providing design and manufacturing flexibility and known material qualities. Partnering with a supplier which specializes in the sector you manufacture will also move your work faster and smoother, this speed and ease of work will save you a great deal of money.

Examples of additives types:

One way to understand the additive products is with the application of each product attribute. Here are some of the tops types:

Anti-static:

products in a static producing environment that are handled often can benefit from anti-static qualities. Electrical products susceptible to static discharge damage need this additive.

Flame retardant:

reduces or eliminates the spread of flames, heat, or sparks. All indoor and electrical products need to comply with flame retardant regulations.

Color masterbatch:

the color additive is a big class by itself. Colors give life to a product and are the biggest market differentiator. Many consumer products use color design in each seasonal manufacturing design.

Anti-fog barrier:

In packaging and agriculture, anti-fog barriers give the product this specific quality. The additive gives surface tension quality which eliminates the forming of water drops.

UV light stabilizer:

In all sunlight exposed products: agriculture, home, sport, leisure, packaging, textile-fibers, and automotive plastics UV light causes color and texture damage. UV light stabilizer is used in these products.

This makes a plastics additive supplier a critical factor in your design (engineering), manufacturing (cost), and even the business (management, operation) side of your company. We know how useful a business partner can be. Yet we need both the hard business-related factors and the soft ones. The hard factors are related to the product itself, costs, manufacturing, design, regulation coverage, and material specification. The soft factors are related to how crews work together, financial arrangements (i.e. credit, payment terms, reimbursements, competitive costs), and eventually management’s ability to work productively with everyone from design to manufacturing.

Read Also:

- Why Gift Your Customers Plastic Business Cards?
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Job Security In The Age Of Automation: What To Expect

Automation has been a source of concern for centuries. Starting from the 16th-century mechanization of stockings production to the 19th-century industrial revolution that led to the UK’s textile riots. From the late 20th-century automation of car manufacturing to the 21st century, worries that Artificial Intelligence will eventually take up our jobs. Job security is an issue that brings forth conflict among manual laborers, resulting from the automation of repetitive manual tasks. Automation has replaced many jobs over the years but has also given rise to other specializations in industries. Major manufacturers have employed robots to level with consumer demands. This is because they are efficient and fast in task completion. All the while playing a massive role in keeping these businesses highly competitive. To provide a clear understanding of the impact automation has had in industries, let’s dive deeper into the jobs’ technicalities. Automation By Job Type Robots execute blue-collar jobs faster and more efficiently than the human workforce, an effect that has highly optimized the production process. However, jobs requiring intuition and creativity, such as product design, and artistry require empathy, making them reserved for the human workforce. The human workforce also retains jobs that appreciate soft skills, such as effective communication, collaboration, leadership, and a problem-solving mindset. That being an overview of the automation effect, let’s dive deeper into factory-related jobs and how automation has affected them. Creative Jobs These jobs require a human eye and mind and combine procedural tasking with intuition in their execution. While proper product design does require a certain level of technical know-how, it also asks for a deeper understanding of why people like the look and feel of these products. In manufacturing industries, designing products may require a focus on the technical application of the product and cater to these matters. An API valve manufacturer, for example, may decide to automate the production of the product. However, to tailor for customers that care for factory aesthetics, they require a human understanding of the design process. Automation can play a role in tasks such as drawing, 3D printing, and data analysis. These artistic job descriptions probably have a higher sense of security than others. Technical Jobs Following product design is the manufacturing process involving technical activities such as assembling parts to come up with a wholesome product. A car manufacturing factory may implement robotic arms, each responsible for joining parts of a vehicle together, working with more efficiency and speed than a human. After putting together the product, there is a proper packaging requirement in preparation for shipping. A robot performs packaging tasks as they are repetitive and technical. The packaging process does not engage in human creativity; thus, automation is probably the better option for such work. However, in other industries such as food processing, products’ packaging may require customization. A process requiring making phone calls, listening to ideas, and making constant changes to the product’s packaging. We employ automation for the job’s technical and repetitive parts; however, to understand human needs, a human being is needed. Transportation of the products to the expected locations is the final process in manufacturing. We can automate the package addressing systems in preparation for transport. Soon, however, there is a possibility that autonomous vehicles will replace transport drivers. Currently, smaller package delivery companies employ drones in some parts of the world. Leadership And Collaborative Jobs Top managerial job descriptions have the least possibility of automation because they require effective coordination, communication, and decision-making. These professionals employ a combination of technical know-how, emotional intelligence, and in some, risk-taking– we cannot reach a balance through automation. Automation cannot replace these individuals, partially because they might resist losing their jobs since they decide which tasks to automate and which not to automate. The Solution To The Conflict The fear that automation will eventually take up all jobs exists. To keep the conversation healthy, positive, and practical, we need to educate the masses on what automation means. Including the types of jobs it can take over. The first step towards education is learning, learning fear, and learning communication strategies. Understanding communication techniques will ensure that proper education occurs. The second step is the actual training of professionals. This involves educating employees in preparation for the jobs they are to transition to during automation. However, it is essential to note that automating the training process might result in a larger conflict. Partially because we know that resolutions cannot be sufficient when executed by who causes the conflict. The third step is to ensure regular training occurs by providing relevant and up-to-date information and training materials. At first, individuals will be reluctant to change job descriptions, which we can resolve through the previously discussed process. Factory Jobs That Cannot Be Replaced Although automation has taken over many factory jobs, some still require human beings' special skills. Here are a few such jobs that machines can’t completely do for now. Quality Check Inspector Robots can be programmed to do certain things, but when it comes to catching a small defect or making sure that the product is of the quality you’re looking for, people are much better at it. A quality control inspector uses their experience, intuition and good old fashion “look closely” to make sure that every single product is perfect. A machine can see if there is clearly something wrong with a product but won’t catch everything. If you had automated inspections in place, and you were shipping out luxury products; and something goes wrong. This is where human intervention becomes important. Let’s say there was hardly a speck of dust on your pet hair remover (obviously checked by a robot). Then, suddenly, there was one review on Amazon where someone said they found one pet hair caught in it. You’d lose all your sales because everyone would assume that now your inspection isn’t working as well as humanly possible or you just don’t care about quality anymore. This is where you should always hire a human inspector. Maintenance Technicians Robots can’t fix themselves, at least not yet! Factory machinery requires regular maintenance to function at peak performance. Maintenance technicians are skilled professionals who ensure that machines run smoothly. When something breaks down, these technicians troubleshoot the problem, perform repairs, and get everything up and running again. Automation can monitor equipment. If you want to know what is wrong with it, often, you need to use human creativity and problem-solving skills, which require knowledge that only a human has. Until robots can physically fix something, if they determine a problem, humans will always be required. Health and Safety Officers It is the most important job to ensure that employees are safe in factories. A person could develop an allergy or get their hand crushed by a machine. The fact that machines of such high risk can be worked on by robots does not mean human judgment about the needs of other humans will disappear. Custom Design And Prototyping Repetitive tasks can be automated, but human creativity is necessary for custom design and prototyping. Factories producing one-off products or prototypes on a small scale will require workers who can conceptualize and modify designs manually. This is to produce the desired result each time. As automation advances it becomes apparent that there are some jobs for which relying on human creativity, problem solving, or emotional intelligence is necessary. Therefore, as machines replace the mundane, humans will remain an integral part of factory life. Should You Be Worried? Automation and job security have been and will always conflict. However, a balance is struck each time it has happened. We currently live in a world with fear of automation from watching various films, such as The Terminator, the Transformers, and others. Some still expect to see a world like that in the movies. The reality is that we use robots to perform repetitive tasks that we have complained about for ages. Do not be fearful; instead, educate yourselves on automation. Do this with a keen eye on the jobs that seem impossible to automate. All the best. Read Also: 3 Encryption Trends and How They Make Communication More Secure Why Sensors are Essential in Machine Automation Seven Great Reasons to Use a Car Transportation Company

Heavy Duty Polythene Sheets For Construction: Applications & Benefits

As a contractor or builder, you know how important it is to control moisture, dust, and debris at a construction site. Heavy-duty polyethylene sheets offer versatile, cost-effective solutions that provide protection and containment on the job site. These durable polyethylene sheets can be a construction crew's best friend! Heavy-duty polythene sheets are typically made from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). These materials create sheets that are exceptionally tough, flexible, and water-resistant. Polythene sheets are available in a wide range of thickness gauges, with heavier grades like 500-gauge or 750-gauge used for demanding construction conditions. The multilayer, cross-laminated structure of heavy-duty polythene sheets provides exceptional tear and puncture resistance. They won't rot, mildew, or degrade when exposed to weather and ultraviolet light. You can count on these rugged polyethylene sheets to deliver outstanding performance across a broad range of applications on the building site. In this article, we'll explore the many ways heavy-duty polythene sheeting can make your construction projects cleaner, safer, and more efficient. These sheets offer proven protection for moisture management, dust/debris control, concrete curing, and temporary structures. Let's take a look at the benefits heavy-duty polythene sheets can provide on your job sites! Moisture Barriers Controlling moisture is critical in any construction project. Fortunately, heavy-duty polythene sheets can provide an effective barrier against water and dampness. The waterproof polyethylene material blocks liquid moisture and vapor transmission. Below Grade Installing polyethylene sheeting under concrete slabs is an excellent way to prevent moisture from migrating up through the concrete over time. The impermeable polythene layer acts as a barrier that blocks ground moisture from passing through the slab foundation. This helps prevent moisture-related issues like mildew, cracks, and buckling. Be sure to overlap seams and seal with waterproof tape. Wall Wraps Wrapping walls in polythene sheeting protects the structure from bulk water intrusion during construction. The water-resistant polyethylene film acts as an air and moisture barrier. This keeps wall assemblies dry until the final weather-resistant barrier can be installed. Properly taped seams prevent moisture ingress and air infiltration for better energy efficiency. Curing Blankets Proper curing is essential for concrete to achieve its full strength and durability. Heavy-duty polythene sheets can provide an ideal curing environment. Fresh Concrete Covering fresh concrete with polythene sheeting helps retain moisture and prevents the slab from drying out too quickly. This allows the concrete to hydrate thoroughly so that it can be set properly. The polythene curing blanket minimizes evaporation, which can cause shrinkage cracking. It also protects the slab from weather elements like rain, wind, and sun. Pre-cast Elements Heavy-duty polythene sheets are also ideal for curing pre-cast concrete elements like columns, beams, walls, and stairs. Covering the precast molds with polythene sheeting retains the moisture to allow the concrete to fully cure. This accelerates strength gain, allowing the molds to be stripped for re-use more quickly. The impermeable sheets also prevent surface drying defects. Containment and Dust Control Heavy-duty polythene sheets are invaluable for containing hazardous dust and debris on the construction site. The durable polyethene barriers keep workers safe and the site clean. Asbestos Abatement Installing polythene containment walls and ceilings seals off the work area during asbestos removal. This prevents fibers from contaminating other areas of the building. Polyethylene flooring also contains fallen debris. The poly barriers ensure proper disposal while protecting the health of workers and occupants. Lead Paint Removal Lead paint removal requires similar containment. Heavy-duty polyethylene containment keeps leading paint chips localized so they can be safely collected and disposed of. The containment area also prevents workers from being exposed to hazardous lead dust. Silica Dust Cutting and grinding concrete or masonry materials creates extremely fine silica dust. This dangerous respirable dust requires containment. Heavy-duty polyethene sheeting creates an enclosed area with reduced air circulation to contain the silica dust. This improves air quality and prevents workers from breathing in the dangerous particles. Temporary Structures Polythene sheets offer a quick, cost-effective way to create temporary structures for protection from the elements. Equipment/Material Covers Heavy-duty polyethylene sheets make great covers to shield equipment and building materials from rain, dirt, and debris. Simply build a basic frame from lumber or PVC pipe and stretch the polythene sheet tight over the top. This creates an inexpensive structure to keep valuable items safe from weather and theft. The transparent material even allows light through for better visibility. Temporary Roofing Large polythene sheets can also serve as temporary roofing during construction. Attach the polyethene sheeting to roof trusses to provide immediate cover until permanent roofing is installed. This allows interior work to progress while keeping the structure watertight. Polythene roofing protects the building from rain and humidity damage. Final word Heavy-duty polythene sheets truly are a construction site's best friend. As you have seen, they are a solution for many construction cases. As you tackle your next building project, be sure to keep heavy-duty polythene sheets on hand. Major manufacturers like Polystar Plastics offer a wide selection of polyethylene sheeting in various grades and sizes. Their experienced team can recommend the ideal polythene products for your specific applications. With the proper heavy-duty polythene sheets, you can increase efficiency and minimize hassles on the worksite. Protect your projects and your crew with these high-performance polyethene barriers. Let polythene sheeting make your next construction job smooth, clean, and successful! Read Also: What Industries Use Polythene Bags 3 Things You Should Know About Personalized Shopping Bags How Can Greenhouse Design Change Architecture?

How To Select The Best Catering Service For Your Next Corporate Conference Event?

Have you been given the responsibility of planning the next corporate conference or event for your company? Do you know how you can choose the best catering service that will win over your co-workers, bosses, and industry colleagues? Are you looking for some tips and tricks, which can help you zero down on the best caterers for your next event? Corporate Conferences and events can be important milestones for a company’s future. It can be your Annual General Meeting or a Shareholders Meeting, or even something like a Retirement Party for a dear colleague. However, the important thing to note is that the food should be top-notch at all times. Everyone who attends the conference or the event should leave satisfied after tasting the food being served. This is why it is so important that you hire the right catering services for your next corporate event. Hire the best one and you are looking at creating a memorable experience for everyone to remember. Hire the wrong one, and your office colleagues will make sure to keep discussing the ‘what went wrongs’ for a very long time! List of 5 Easy Steps to help you select the best Catering Service for Corporate Conferences 1. Start with In-depth Research and Planning- When it comes to any corporate event planning, catering is right up there in the first or second positions. It is important to understand the budget, get a sense of what the higher management feels, and then start with finding the right caterers. During the shortlisting stage, look for small details like the promptness of the catering company when responding to your requests of quotations, sample requests, and references. This will give you a better idea about their professionalism and help in the selection process. 2. Be Sure about the Food from the Start- Everything that the prospective caterer offers you in terms of food is going to increase the confusion in your head. This is why it is important that you have a set idea of the food, which you can then take to the catering service. You also need to understand that caterers will suggest food options, which are cost-effective for them, but not for you. It is also important to see whether the caterer is taking interest in knowing about your company, its culture, and then making suggestions. 3. Food, Beverage Options, and Service- We often have this misconception about catering being all about the food. What we tend to forget is that it also involves beverages and the overall service experience. This means that the choice of beverages, how good they are or not also matters when choosing the right caterer. Corporate event catering should always take into account the level of service, which is being offered. Smartly dressed catering professionals, polite behavior, and a calm demeanor are what you should look at. Trust us, these things make a lot of difference. 4. The Experience of the Catering Company- When it comes to corporate catering, the experience matters a lot. This is because the inherent nature of the catering experience in a corporate setting is radically different from the one at a wedding, or a birthday party. It is important that you see the number of years of experience the catering service has. You can also ask them specifically for the kind of corporate events they have serviced to. This will help you get a better idea about whether they will be the right fit or not for your conference. 5. Look for Flexibility in the Catering Service- There might be times when things do not go according to plan. For example, an announced client walks in with his entourage of five people as the event is going on. If you are seriously sticking to headcounts, this can cause some problems. This is where a good caterer will be able to help you out. This is what is meant by flexibility in the catering service. These kinds of situations will arise from time to time and you need to be prepared for them. Asking the catering service about such issues in advance will help them and you prepare better for such contingencies. The Final Word It is important that you start planning in advance for your next corporate event. The success of the same will depend in a major way on whether or not you have been able to hire the right catering services for the same. By paying attention to the points in the article, you can ensure that you at least have all the boxes checked to help you narrow down your selections for the best catering services. Read Also: 3 Reasons Why your Corporate Event Entertainment is Important Components of a Successful Business Function

Additives for Plastic: business and technical factors

What are additives for plastic?

Additive plastics regulations:

Cost-effective additive use: