NPE 2012 - EXHIBITORS' FEEDBACK

As host of NPE's largest booth from any resin manufacturer, SABIC showcased its unmatched commitment to the plastics industry with its wide range of products. Specifically, the company
stressed on its game-changing case studies that demonstrate how it helps customers address current trends and unique challenges across key global industries including automotive, consumer, energy, infrastructure, healthcare and transportation.

Mr. Timothy O'Brien, Vice President, Engineering Resins - Americas/Europe Innovative Plastics stressed that SABIC has been heeding the tendency in the Middle Eastern countries going further
downstream in the petrochemical chain. "I see it an opportunity rather than a challenge. That was also why we set up a separate business unit to look after the region." He added that the BRICS countries will certainly provide exciting growth in the next five years. "China remains a large consumer despite slower growth. India is probably the next growth driver while Brazil is picking up."

OCTAL's DPET? boasts of the smallest carbon footprint of any comparable PET sheet available today, said Mr. John Maxell, VP Sales of OCTAL. "At OCTAL, we take innovation to its highest
level, setting the standard in PET packaging with our patented technology and proprietary processes. Through applying the most advanced technologies, OCTAL has set new global benchmarks for both product and environmental excellence."

DPET sheet is OCTAL's proprietary technology that produces PET sheet directly from PET melt resin, resulting in a final product with significantly enhanced optical and mechanical properties. DPET sheet enables thermoforming, brand and retail partners to realise higher and more consistent yield and packaging products with a clear finish. OCTAL's PET resin uses 38% less energy and DPET sheet uses 67% less energy.

Kautex, a leading manufacturer of extrusion blow moulding technology, stressed on efficiency, sustainability and service at the recently concluded NPE 2012. "It's possible for us to produce blowmoulded sample within 48 hours from receipt of 3D CAD drawing," said Mr. Bil Farrant, President & CEO. Through rapid prototyping and simulation of the product, a prototype of the product is directly implemented without manual modeling and can be simulated and implemented directly in its use, so that the packaging meets all requirements precisely. The prototyping process in the industry usually takes 6 weeks. The speed in coming out with a blow-moulded sample is significant as users and suppliers of packaging are always in a hurry to launch their new products to the market. "The company consistently takes on new challenges in the development of products and service concepts: Kautex focuses on sustainable and efficient production of plastics," said Mr. Farrant.

Miclaron brought its Maximo Servo hybrid machine and its 170-tonne Magna T Servo machine. It also introduced its Mosaic 2.0 plastics processing control technology - an entire moulding project with multiple injection units as well as automation and auxiliary equipment. "Milacron's most significant technological development in 2012 to date to address these trends has been the introduction of our Maxima Servo machine that uses energy-efficient servo motors to improve energy savings by up to 50%. Milacron's TCS line of energy-efficient heater bands is also revolutionising the industry thNike