Urbanisation spurs demand for plastics

The packaging industry is witnessing tremendous growth that opportunities for advanced technologies and equipment are abundant. Rapid urbanisation gives rise to consumer purchasing power which fuels growth for consumer products that also utilise plastics.

The packaging market is being served intensively by ILLIG Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG with its thermoforming lines decoration by means of in-mould labeling (IML), an essential element in the concept of many pack manufacturers. IML thermoforming allows pack production with high-quality, optically brilliant decoration in photo quality in one single working step. ILLIG is the only system supplier worldwide to offer this decoration technology under a brand, from design and machine technology through to customised mould technology. "In 2014, we already installed two of our new IML-T lines successfully at the customers' sites and there are already further thermoforming lines on order equipped with this decoration technology for 2015. We see a growing demand in this sector for the future as well – worldwide," according to Karl Schäuble, managing director of ILLIG .

Karl Schäuble, managing director, ILLIG Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG

"Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, it is even preferred over mineral water. Especially the small and practical coffee capsules offered today are becoming more and more popular - with increasing tendency. And this tendency will be continuing worldwide in 2015 as well. These capsules are thermoformed and they are mostly manufactured on ILLIG RDM-K machines. In the meantime, more than 95 % of the thermoformed coffee capsules on the world market are being manufactured on these machines," Mr. Schäuble explained.

Also, the company's newly designed FSL 48 form, fill and seal line with integrated IML station is designed for the requirements of the food industry, and especially the dairy industry. Most conventional cup geometries which can be produced on form, fill and seal lines can be formed and decorated on this machine in a brilliant way directly during thermoforming.

Subsequently they can be hygienically filled, sealed and packed in a consumer-friendly way for the shelves using the integrated end packer. "We will also increasingly present a new development in the individual economic regions during the next year which had its premiere at Fakuma. The ILLIG UA 100 Ed machine built for more than two decades until 2002 and now available as standard version again," Mr. Schäuble added.

In Asia, ILLIG has been represented traditionally by a dense network of representatives on site. From a Far East service station in Southeast Asia, located in the Philippines, the service station centrally coordinates the service for ILLIG machines within an enormously large area. This service station is also in charge of on-site services in China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, through to Southeast Asia.

Over the last years China and Southeast Asia developed into continuously growing markets for ILLIG. In answer to this growth the number of staff of ILLIG Far East service stations has been increasing continuously and currently they intend to hire further service engineers. "At the end of this year the service station will thus move to new and considerably larger premises, Greater Manila is maintained as the location," according to Mr. Schäuble.

Automotive and electrical/electronics are sectors demanding high performance plastics. Radici Group Plastics launched its nylon specialities – Radilon with enhanced heat resistance and Radilon Xtreme lines, and Radistrong PA6 and PA 6.6 long-fibre plastic specialities for use as metal replacements. "Polyamide specialities are being enhanced to serve the automotive and electrical and electronics industries. In this aspect, Radici has been providing our customers with quality products, as well as flexible and reliable services," according to Edi Degasperi, CEO of Radici Plastics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. "Investment into R&D and technical support to our customers in Asia, as well as to the rest of the world form part of our strategy this year and beyond," Mr. Degasperi added.

Mr. Edi Degasperi, CEO, Radici Plastics (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.

For Phon Tech Industrial Company, sustainability is an issue that will become more prominent in 2015 and beyond. Due to limited natural resources and global warming, there is a shift towards non-dependence on crude oil. As a result, bio-based technology and carbon reduction will see intensified use in 2015.

In terms of applications, Phon Tech sees the medical sector as lucrative sector. "We foresee some new developments in medical sector. We are currently working on some projects to make our product suitable for medical tube and syringe application. It needs to pass some qualifications like material performance, medical regulation and lengthy customer approval," according to Tony Lin, general manager.

Mr. Tony Lin, general manager, Phon Tech Industrial Company

No doubt that Asia has the most revenue potential for Phon Tech. "This continent contains around 60% of world populations, a growing dynamic young population. So it means great opportunity. Therefore, Asia will be always our main focus. To elaborate, we are targeting Southeast Asia, South Asia and Middle East countries," stressed Mr. Lin. For 2015, Phon Tech is working with some OEM manufacturers for automotive and construction seal application. It targets approval in 2015 to successfully launch its new series for extrusion applications.