Scoring for more sustainability and environmental awareness
Plastics, such as the thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) used in our company, with their many possibilities and properties, are becoming increasingly popular in injection molding. They are powerful, adaptable to different requirements and can integrate well into the recycling cycle. But even rubber and multi-component parts can score points in resource conservation.
As materials evolve, new and expanded uses and opportunities to better position themselves in the marketplace and differentiate themselves from the competition are emerging for products and users. For example, topics such as smoothness, elasticity, flexibility, heat and cold resistance, robustness or even color are exciting fields. The know-how in the processing of injection molding is just as decisive as the recipe. Regardless of whether a plastic is used “solo” or in multi-component injection molding, as a fabricator you have to know exactly how the material behaves during and after processing. This know-how has been acquired by our specialists at TPE Sealing and constantly deals with the latest developments. However, material manufacturers and processors also have more extensive requirements.
Are recyclates in injection molding a good topic?
The topic of resource conservation is becoming increasingly important in our industry. It is driven by political and social developments. In SPT Production and TPE Sealing, however, we also engage in our own interest in sustainable, future-oriented production. In principle, there are three starting points for the careful use of resources in injection molding, whether in the production of plastic, rubber or multi-component parts: the use of recyclate, the avoidance of waste and the regranulability of the materials. We buy up to 100% recyclate on different projects. In other cases, Neu-Ware is regranulated directly after the injection process on the machine and fed back to the melt to a good extent. Decisive, however, are always the requirements for the workpiece and the wishes of the customer. In the automotive sector, there is currently a good trend towards more sustainability and greater use of recycled materials.
Save material and avoid waste
Another important topic is waste-free production. In the TPE and plastics sector, we use, for example, needle valve hot runner nozzles, and in the elastomer range, needle valve cold runner nozzles. The articles are sprayed directly over the nozzle and there is no sub-distribution, which would have to be thrown away as waste or regranulated. We are constantly working on these and other solutions for avoiding waste or saving material. This is not only good for the environment and the future of our children, but also cost effective.
Often, opportunities for their applications open up in discussions with our customers in order to produce workpieces in 2-component or multi-component injection molding as well as by injection or overmolding in a more resource-efficient and efficient manner. Not only in the plastic and rubber, there is recycling and savings potential, even connectors such as adhesive or adhesive strips are no longer needed, for example, transport routes for additional assembly steps omitted, material is saved, etc.
Ultimately, in all developments, good integration and close cooperation are equally important for all parties involved, such as material developers, processors and users, in order to create optimal conditions. Not to mention the recycler, which poses a great challenge to the variety of plastics available on the market.
We are happy to come to you with your ideas, we work across the industry on future-oriented solutions for molded parts and gaskets made of injection molding.