Cost-saving technologies gain in post-crisis era

 NPE 2012 marked another milestone as the giant international plastics exposition concluded in a new venue in 40 years, bringing an innovative agenda, a record-breaking influx of new exhibitors and attendees, and an upsurge in terms of size and dynamism. However, visitors to the show were not only impressed by the size of the show and the modern show facilities amidst amiable weather conditions in Orlando, but they also felt an evident positive transformation in the post-crisis plastics industry.
"Moving from Chicago to Orlando was the first initiative in SPI's strategy of ‘breaking the mould' by creating a broader-based and more exciting NPE with new benefits for exhibitors and visitors," said William R. (Bill) Carteaux, President and CEO of SPI, which produces the triennial NPE. "Three years of work by SPI and the NPE Committee have given the industry an NPE2012 that not only substantially surpasses the recession-era NPE2009 in size and scope but is in line with the greatest NPE successes of the past."
NPE2012 attracted 1,933 exhibitors, more than in each of the three previous NPEs. The total exhibit space occupied at NPE2012 was 939,972 sq.ft, (87,326 sq.m), or 23% greater than in 2009, which was adversely affected by the Great Recession. There was a 26% increase in attendance, as 55,359 plastics professionals participated in NPE2012. These visitors represented 19,283 unique companies, as against 18,600 at NPE2009.

"The Return of the Machines"
Visitors to the NPE2012 trade show reached 55,000 based on preliminary statistics. They witnessed the sheer dynamism of exhibit floor, as plastics processing machines were demonstrated in full-scale operation, manufacturing film, sheet, bottles, and injection-moulded parts. Described by SPI as "The Return of the Machines," the upsurge in the number of equipment systems that suppliers have brought to the show is attributable to the recovering economy and the cost savings and streamlined logistics available to exhibitors in the new Orlando venue. Amongst the most elaborate equipment demonstrations were those of complete production cells--in effect, turnkey plastics processing plants that incorporate parts handling, decoration, assembly, and other functions.
 Amongst machinery exhibitors there was widespread emphasis on energy efficiency, increased productivity, and scrap reduction. Specialised technologies include micro-moulding, multi-material processing, and in-mould labeling and assembly. Systems for producing medical devices, automotive components, and high-volume packaging are also prominent at the show.
 Another important highlight of the show featured advances in technology for bioplastics as presented by manufacturers of new bio-based resins, compounds, and additives, as well as equipment suppliers that have developed systems specifically for processing these materials. Sessions of all three educational conferences focused on bioplastics.
 Sustainability is a key theme amongst material suppliers, which have developed numerous formulations aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of end products, cutting back on the material content of packaging, light-weighting parts to reduce fuel consumption in shipping or in automotive applications, enhancing recyclability, or facilitating development of alternate energy systems such as photovoltaic, wind turbine, or film-battery applications.
The post-crisis plastics industry is heading towards a leaner, more efficient and cost-saving future. Working for a greener environment is no longer a buss word as people are taking solid action. However, profits for the short term and expansion in the longer term are also in the pipelFootwear