Multi-Plastics, Inc.

Authorized Distributor for ExxonMobil Chemical Co

2008-11-17T11:18:00.000-08:00

Multi-Plastics, Inc. is excited to have been named the Authorized Distributor for ExxonMobil Chemical Co for its OPP film products. Click on the link below to read the official press release from ExxonMobil.

http://www.oppfilms.com/Public_PA/WorldwideEnglish/Newsroom/Newsreleases/chem_nr_111008.asp

Polystyrene Film is Friendly in the Repulping Process

2008-09-24T06:32:00.000-07:00

This is a study done in Europe and it shows how polystyrene window film can pass easily through the repulping process. It is about facts not rederic.

http://www.multi-plastics.com/PDF%20files/ENVELUTION - LAB STEP IV REPORT - 2006.pdf

All About Plastics

2008-04-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

In a recent CNN article it discuses the arguments for and against the use of plastic and how it has become an important part of society.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/09/07/allabout.plastic/index.html?iref=newssearch#cnnSTCText

Multi-Plastics recognizes the need to make a positive contribution to the environment that will affect future generations. Check out our new Eco-Efficient line of window films, EnviroSafe, at http://www.multi-plastics.com/Industry_Pages/EnviroSafe.htm

Low levels of PLA contamination make recycled PET unusable

2008-03-27T06:37:00.000-07:00

Tim Gaffney, Product Manager Flexible Packaging Films, found this article and we found the information extremely informative.

"Less than one polylactic acid (PLA) bottle mixed with 1,000 polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles makes recycled PET (RPET) unsuitable for use in containers, sheet, dramatically reduces its value. Results of independent evaluation by PTI-Europe SARL, Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland, commissioned by Technical Committee of Petcore, Brussels, Belgium, contradicts manufacturer claims that PLA bioplastic at levels up to 0.1% would not hinder recycling or damage quality of PET reyclate. Testing shows that level of PLA affects esthetics such as color, haze of RPET bottles, sheet. In addition, presence of PLA disrupts recycling process because lower melting point causes flakes to stick to one another, to RPET, to equipment. Findings raise fears that very low levels of PLA contamination will render RPET nearly useless for anything except noncritical fiber applications, a market where demand is declining. Unfortunately, it appears current sorting technology cannot remove enough PLA bottles to prevent problems. According to Sue Ward, secretary general of Petcore, “PLA containers can be sorted manually if the label is still in place (it is brands that identify the resin in this case) or by polymer detection such as near-infrared….The efficiency of these [near-infrared] machines is in the high 90%s, [but]…even if a recycler runs three of these machines in series (best industry practice in Europe), they cannot remove 99.9% of PLA, even when set so tightly that an unacceptable quantity of good PET bottles is removed with the PLA.” As result, Petcore position statement concludes, even small market penetration of PLA threatens recycling infrastructure for PET containers in European Union where about 40 billion PET bottles (1 million metric tons) are being recycled, and continued success depends on input purity, sorting, recycling technologies, high-quality market outlets." Follow-up: At Petcore, PLA Report, +32 2 675 39 35, info@petcore.org; Link: http://www.petcore.org/; at PTI, US office, Holland, OH, +1 419-867-5400, info@plastictechnologies.com; Link: http://www.plastictechnologies.net/.

Polymer Migration sometimes known as blooming

2008-03-27T06:14:00.000-07:00

Recently I observed some rolls of polyethylene film that were discolored. It brought me back to a time several years ago where I had a roll standing on end in my office underneath an electrical outlet. Plugged into this electrical outlet was a room deodorizer, you know the type that has a scented liquid in them. The sides of the polyethylene rolls had what appeared to be oil on them. My initial reaction was that the deodorizer spilled out on the rolls. I disposed the deodorizer, a couple of days later I noticed the roll had more of this yellow oily liquid on them but in a different location.
What really was happening was that an additive (antistat) was migrating to the surface of the film. This is also known has blooming. In the compounding of this resin a wet antistatic additive was mixed into the master-batch and was not blended into the batch evenly. With time this additive migrated / bloomed to the surface of the film. This issue was overcome by using a dry antistat in the compounding of this polyethylene.

Doug Caillier
General Manager
Multi-Plastics Canada

Green Issues

2008-02-25T11:48:00.000-08:00

Being Green is chic! The Industry Trends Committee of TLMI, that I co-chair with Ferd Ruessch of Gallus, has been working on a "Green Guide" to better educate the members of TLMI about all the green terminology and third party organizations out there that provide substantiation for the "green claims" many organizations are making. All the data has been collected and as soon as the "Green" page has been added to the TLMI website I will let you know. In the meantime, Multi-Plastics, Inc. is working on some eco-efficient films.

Flexo Magazine

2008-02-25T11:44:00.000-08:00

In December Chris Bonowalt from the Flexographic Technical Association (FTA) asked me to write another article about Label Trends for their January issue. If you visit www.flexomag.com and go to page 22 you can read about "Changes in the Narrow Web Flexo Market."

Label & Narrow Web Label Symposium

2007-11-16T08:12:00.000-08:00

Multi-Plastics, Inc. sent Tim Gaffney, our Product Manager for Flexible Packaing Films and me, Cheryl Caudill, our Marketing Manager for all our print on films, to the recent L&NW Label Symposium in NJ. During this symposium, Peter Renton of Lightning Labels spoke about Marketing for the 21st Century using web tools including "blogs." So, this is my first web blog.

The L&NW Label Symposium was co-sponsored by the TLMI (Tag & Label Manufacturer's Institute). An industry association that I am extremely involved in, as the co-chair of the Industry Trends Committee and currently serve as a supplier repsentative to the Board of Directors.

The Symposium brought together 35 suppliers and approximately 40 label converters for a day of networking and presentations. The narrow web flexographic market has many outlets for learning about the technical side of the business. This event focused on the "softer side" and included presentations about creating a sustainable company with sustainable employees.

It is the hope of the TLMI to offer more of these regional meetings during 2008 in other areas of the country.