For more than 125 years, Troester GmbH & Co. KG, Hanover, Germany, has been developing and manufacturing innovative and reliable machines for the rubber industry. AT K 2019 process and manufacturing specialists will be on hand to discuss the latest developments with visitors at stand F40 in hall 16.

ExxonMobil has introduced Rethink Recycle with Vistamaxx polymers ― a proven, cost-effective solution that is said to allow increased recycled content utilisation for high-value applications ― at its K 2019 pavilion (FG10.1). Vistamaxx polymers act like a compatibiliser between polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in recycled content streams, enabling it to improve the properties of recycled content containing products.

Loparex and Infiana announced that the transaction to acquire Infiana has been completed and the integration into Loparex has begun. According to the two companies, Infiana’s expertise in highly engineered films and Loparex’s leadership in speciality release liners complement each other well. The combination will build stronger release liner capabilities and strengthen their global position, which will enable a stronger support to its customers’ growth plans, said the companies.

The Sprayfoam Show 2020 Convention & Expo of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) will be held on 11 – 14 February 2020 in Pasadena, CA, USA. On 13 February 2020, SPFA will host the Industry Excellence Awards Luncheon as part of event.

At K 2019, Covestro will be presenting the prototype for a new application of materials for additive manufacturing: 3D-printed orthopedic insoles for shoes. They are efficiently produced using an automated and completely digitalised process that generates almost no waste. The part in question is in the form of a 3D file that can be sent anywhere in the world. On site, a printer uses this data to produce the physical product – regardless of whether only a single individualised sole or millions of soles have to be produced.

For the first time, Henkel and Sonderhoff are presenting their filter manufacturing products on a joint stand at Filtech 2019 (halle 11.2, stand L1). Henkel offers a wide range of adhesives and sealants as well as products for surface treatment. The Sonderhoff Group, which has been part of Henkel since 2017, is manufacturer of two-component foam gaskets, adhesives and potting compounds as well as mixing and dosing systems. This way, users can benefit from customised solutions for the entire filter production process from a single source.

The German company Hennecke GmbH with headquarters in Sankt Augustin announced the new umbrella brand Hennecke Group for all product portfolios. The continuous growth of the Hennecke brand, the acquisition of Hennecke-OMS S.p.A in Italy and the related development of a joint international sales and service network made it necessary to create a unified brand identity.

Malaysia’s projected rubber glove export for this year has been revised down to 188 billion pieces from 195 billion pieces earlier due to the current labour shortage, said Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association (MARGMA) president Denis Low Jau Foo. The figure is, however, slightly higher than the 172 billion pieces exported last year.

In this issue you can inform yourself about the forthcoming K 2019 trade fair in Düsseldorf, where many machine manufacturers, raw materials and additive manufacturers as well as system houses and processors of polyurethanes will exhibit.

Croda announced that its Polymer Additives business is now part of Croda Smart Materials, offering its customers extensive polymer expertise and multiple technology platforms. At K 2019, the company is celebrating half a century of experience in amide production and the opening of its GBP 27 million amide manufacturing facility at its site in the United Kingdom.