Fraunhofer & Stratasys Redefine Movie Industry with Advanced Plastic 3D Printing Solution

Stop-motion animation has a unique appeal. When employing the technique, twenty-four frames equal one second of animation. Each frame must be meticulously set up with puppets and props incrementally altered in small movements. An entire movie is compiled from the individual motionless scenes, captured by a digital camera. LAIKA, the US-based animation studio, has produced three Oscar®-nominated animated films: The Boxtrolls (2014), ParaNorman (2012) and Coraline (2009). Their use of 3D printing in animation garnered them a Scientific and Engineering award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. The studio's fourth feature, Kubo and the Two Strings, will open in theaters this year.


In order to produce the puppets facial expressions, LAIKA designs, models, animates and paints the faces in the computer, then uses color 3D printers to produce tens of thousands of slightly different facial expressions. LAIKA pioneered this technique on its inaugural film Coraline and has continued to push the limits of 3D Printing technology on each subsequent film. On LAIKA’s fifth film they will be utilizing the most cutting edge color plastic printing hardware from Stratasys combined with the powerful universal print driver Cuttlefish from Fraunhofer IGD to help achieve accurate and repeatable color from face to face.

Cuttlefish makes it possible to work with many printing materials at the same time, to accurately replicate the geometry, colors and smooth color transitions of the original, and to simulate the printout on screen in advance. “Our first tests were fantastic”, says Academy Award winner and director of LAIKA’s rapid prototyping department, Brian McLean. “We have never seen such accurate and detailed color before in a plastic 3D print.”

Source: Fraunhofer 

eatSafe Launches Eco-friendly PLA Shrink Film for Tamper-evident Packaging

In response to the growing market in the US for lower-waste product packaging, driven by consumers who are making environmentally-conscious purchasing decisions eatsafe offers an earth-friendly renewably-sourced PLA shrink film for your tamper-evident packaging process, called ecoSafe.

Origin of ecoSafe Film:

ecoSafe is a biodegradable polylactic acid film, commonly referred to as PLA. 
ecoSafe is derived from annually renewable resources, and it is manufactured using plant sugars to create a proprietary polylactide polymer.

Advantages of ecoSafe Film:

This material is far superior environmentally to oil-based PET, polyethylene, PVC and polypropylene films, which use 20-250% more non-renewable energy during production and produce 4-6 times more greenhouse gases during their life cycle.

Properties of ecoSafe Film:
eatSafe’s ecoSafe PLA film has several eco-friendly end-of-life choices which are environmentally-superior to all other plastics. 
ecoSafe can be composted in industrial facilities.
It can be incinerated with no volatile compounds (VOCs) and low residue created during burning. 
It produces 75% less greenhouse gas compared to oil-based PET products, even if the product ends up in a landfill.

Source: eatSafe 

Proviron to Invest in Storage Tank for ATBC Bio-based Plasticizer in Friendly, WV

Following four years of successful sales of ATBC in North America, the chemical company Proviron has decided to commission a bulk storage tank of ATBC (Proviplast® 2624) at its operations facility in Friendly, WV.

To increase support for ATBC plasticizer customers in North America, Proviron has installed a permanent storage tank for its Proviplast® 2624 (ATBC) plasticizer, which is now fully operational. The bulk tank located in the Mid-Ohio Valley will result in shorter lead times and delivery times, and a very reliable supply of our Proviplast® 2624 (ATBC) to our customers in the Nafta region.

Proviplast® 2624 (ATBC) is a bio-based general purpose plasticizer ideal for use in food contact applications such as stretch film or seal closures and numerous medical and pharmaceutical applications. Because of its excellent solvating characteristics it can also be incorporated in plastisols for flooring and coatings.

“Proviron is showing its commitment to the US market and has uniquely positioned itself to react quickly and efficiently to meet the ever changing customer demands. Now our customers can take advantage of Proviplast® 2624 (ATBC) which is readily available and can be shipped in pails, drums, totes and tanker trailers” states Biren Shah, Sales &Marketing Manager Nafta at Proviron.

“Proviron has been a global provider of plasticizers for over 20 years and this step is in line with our strategy to grow our phthalate-free plasticizer business further. This local ATBC bulk tank is a game changer for the North American market. This is a unique opportunity for our customers to reduce inventory and switch to JIT deliveries, freeing up capital” says Stefaan Depecker, Commercial Director at Proviron.


Source: Proviron

BASF Offers Graphite-enhanced Polystyrene to Meet Global Standards of Insulation for B&C

As a commitment to the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of its customers, BASF only offers its expandable polystyrene (EPS) with the polymeric flame retardant (PolyFR). Neopor® Graphite-enhanced Polystyrene (GPS) provides the insulation industry with a raw material that combines high insulation quality, safety, ease of processing, and low weight, resulting in an important contribution to global climate protection goals.

“Our customers look to BASF to provide high-quality materials,” said Luis Espada, Business Manager, Neopor® Insulation North America. “The change to PolyFR in our products is a great example of the commitment to continually enhancing our product portfolio.”

PolyFR also improves the environmental profile of the material, as confirmed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) June 2014 report. Relevant first tests show the same results and classification as legacy FR products, such as ASTM E84, UL S701, NFPA 286, and NFPA 285.

“Switching to PolyFR guarantees the supply of eco-efficient thermal insulation products for sustainable building and construction in the future,” said Giorgio Greening, BASF Global Business Unit, Styrenic Foams. “Energy efficiency in the commercial and residential construction section is now a bigger challenge than ever for the entire value chain. As a raw material manufacturer, we want to supply our customers with high-quality materials with optimal properties.”

Source: BASF 

Solvay Acquires Eastman’s 50% Stake in Cellulose Acetate Production JV

 Solvay and Eastman Chemical Company have signed a definitive agreement to end their cellulose acetate production joint venture Primester with Solvay acquiring Eastman’s 50 percent stake in the U.S.-based plant and becoming its sole owner.

“After our partnership of 25 years, this agreement allows Solvay to continue securing the most economical long term supply of cellulose acetate flake for its own tow business in Germany, Brazil and Russia, while adapting capacity to demand," said Philippe Rosier, President of Solvay Global Business Unit Acetow. 

Following the transaction, Eastman will provide the long-term supply of basic utilities and raw materials to the plant, based in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Closing should occur in the second quarter of 2016, subject to customary regulatory approvals.

Source: Solvay 

For more polymer related news,pls visit my blog http://polymerguru.blogspot.in

DSM’s Dyneema® UHMWPE-based Ballistic Protective Insert Reduces Weight of Armor

DSM Dyneema announced that company First Armour, an affiliate of the KADDB Investment Group (KIG), is showcasing at SOFEX Jordan 2016 exhibition the lightest available insert. This panel, to be worn in combination with a protective vest, was tested according to NIJ Standard-0101.04 Level III and 7.62x39 MSC, featuring Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology. The new DP3/3+/L insert, weighing less than one kilo, sharply decreases the load carried by operational units while maintaining a high level of ballistic protection.

Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology is a radical innovation based on Dyneema®, one of the leading brands of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber. It enables customers to create very light armor solutions. The protective insert is manufactured by First Armour in Jordan, for high-end use in law enforcement and embassy guards in the region.

“Reducing the weight, and thickness of protective equipment is a key objective for military and law enforcement personnel in Jordan and around the globe,” said Muneer Al Assi, General Manager of First Armour. “Our productive, ongoing collaboration with DSM Dyneema and the exceptional properties of Dyneema® Force Multiplier Technology enabled us to design this new ultra-lightweight protective insert. With this insert, the officer can enhance endurance, speed, comfort and freedom of movement. We are pleased to offer a state-of-the-art ballistic protection solution to the region.”
First Armour will soon start offering various types of body armor based on different high-performance grades of Dyneema®.

“We congratulate First Armour on its innovative ballistic protective insert, which combines dramatic weight reduction with highly demanding protection requirements,” said Marcio Manique, Global Business Director, Life Protection, DSM Dyneema. “


Source: DSM 

PolyOne Launches UltraTuf LED Sheet Made of Eastman’s Copolyester

 PolyOne announced the launch of UltraTuf™ LED, a premium light diffusing sheet that combines excellent light transmission and diffusion properties with toughness, chemical resistance and improved design flexibility. UltraTuf LED sheet is made using BPA-free Eastman Spectar™ Stratus copolyester, which has received UL GREENGUARD Certification for Indoor Air Quality. 

Fig. 1: UltraTuf LED Sheet

“We developed new UltraTuf LED sheet with the ability to transmit up to 91% of light while still effectively diffusing the light across the lens,” said Kendall Justiniano, marketing director, Designed Structures and Solutions at PolyOne. “And we also harnessed the design flexibility and exceptional durability inherent in the base material to deliver a complete solution to LED lighting system designers.” 

Because it offers deep draw thermoforming capabilities, UltraTuf LED sheet can be used to create visually stunning designs that allow OEMs to differentiate their lighting systems. It also has superior durability, withstanding direct impact in shipping or use of up to 15 times that of most traditional light diffuser materials for simpler handling and longer installed life. Good chemical resistance makes UltraTuf LED suitable for demanding environments, and ease of processing helps to improve operational efficiency during manufacture.