K 2019 has closed its doors on 23 October after eight exciting days in Düsseldorf, Germany. 3,330 exhibitors (2016: 3,285) from 63 nations proved impressively: plastics continue to be an innovative, indispensable material. But they also underscored the necessity of having operational circular economies along the complete material chain and to this end already presented numerous concrete solutions.

According to Covestro, the wind energy industry pursues the development of maintenance-free systems. One important hurdle on the path to achieving this goal is the fact that the longitudinal edges of rotor blades are subject to the effects of weather: when it is raining and the blades are turning quickly, raindrops hit the edges of the blades at high speed and with a large amount of energy. Over time, this destroys the coating layer and the composite material beneath. This edge erosion can reduce annual energy performance by more than 5 %. In addition, the systems have to be serviced more frequently.

TactoTek and LS Automotive Technologies (LSAT) announced that LSAT has licensed design and manufacturing rights for TactoTek injection moulded structural electronics (IMSE) technology. The agreement includes rights to use TactoTek proprietary intellectual property and technology transfer that enables LSAT to design and manufacture IMSE parts in Korea and globally.

Bob Erling has joined Emery Oleochemicals as Business Manager for rigid and CASE polyols to support the continued growth of the company’s Eco-Friendly Polyols business.

In a joint project, BASF and STR Automotive have brought components for premium vehicles into serial production for the first time using the new material Elastolit R 8819 Lightweight. In comparison to conventional processing with PU-RRIM materials, the new process is said to convince due to significant weight reduction. The usual component thickness of 3.0 mm can be reduced to less than 2.5 mm, without detrimental effects on processing, quality or mechanical properties.

Wanhua stated on 2 November 2019, that it will pursue the goal of building a MDI plant in the US. The company previously pulled out of plans to build a new facility in St. James Parish, Louisiana, partly due to tariff war and resistance from residents and environmental groups.

Rampf Production Systems and its Indian partner Sanika Engineering & Consultancy are presenting mixing and dispensing technology for sealing, casting, bonding, and foaming at MatDispens 2019 (hall 5, stand B26), Bombay Exhibition Center, 14 – 16 November 2019.

Lubrizol has recently introduced halogen-free Estane ZHF TPU grades mainly for cable production that are said to feature low toxicity, low smoke and low gas conductivity. The company said that the design versatility of the new products polymers expands the scope of applications, including thinner or coloured cables.

The Hamburg-based German Lehvoss Group will exhibit at Formnext 2019 (hall 11.1, stand B48), which will take place from 19 – 22 November 2019 in Frankfurt a. M., Germany. The company announced that it will highlight Luvosint TPU for tailor-made orthopaedic insoles as well as its Luvocom 3F series of 3D printing filaments.