Technological innovations and solutions for high-quality plastics Rising demand for high-quality plastics in the electrical & electronics, automotive, medical and houseware sectors pressures companies

The 2008 edition of ASEANPLAS served as the hotbed of technological innovations and solutions for the plastics processing sector. The show, which attracted 317 exhibiting companies from 28 countries and economies, presented a wealth of state-of-the-art machinery, technologies, processes and solutions. As stated by Erhard Wienkamp, Chairman of the Board of Messe Duesseldorf Asia, the Asia-Pacific region will be the largest processor of plastic and rubber by 2010, generating 43% of the total global production estimated at 304 million tons. This will surpass continents such as America (27%) and Europe (25%). And since its inception in 1995 as Interplastica, ASEANPLAS has over the years served as an authoritative hub between manufacturers, suppliers, processors and businesses across Southeast Asia playing a key role in updating players on the latest in processing technologies, new machinery, equipment and products. This year's edition featured the ASEAN Plastics Technology Showcase which was supported by Singapore誷 Agency for Science Technology and Research (A*STAR). The showcase featured enabling solutions and business opportunities in selected market segments of particular relevance to the plastics processing sectors in Singapore and the rest of the ASEAN region. These included the use of plastic for optic lenses, biodegradable plastics and biobased products made from renewable resources, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) which is a versatile technology with a myriad of application opportunities to boost innovations in the manufacturing sector, the use of thermoplastics and applications of polymer materials in microfluidic and biomedical device manufacturing. Other highlights were the Eco-Wood Tech, an eco-friendly material developed by Chuan Durn Plastic Industries that combines waste plastic and natural waste like saw dust and husks. GF Technology also presented what it described as the world誷 first plasma translucent vacuum metalized coasting on plastics. Additional showcase features include spray-painting technology from Meiban Group, carbon nanotube nanocomposites from Nissei Plastic, and hot runners designed for medical applications from Protocol Systems International. Plastics technology gets better The use of plastic for optic lenses offers several advantages such as lightweight, design flexibility, mass producible by injection moulding, low cost, etc. With advancement in machining technology for delivering highly precision lens inserts, the key technical challenges in injection moulding of plastic lenses lies in the ability to consistently replicate the profiles of the inserts to deliver lenses of desired profile specifications. Moulded-in-stress typically associated with injection moulding process will also give rise to image distortion and birefringence, thereby affecting the optical performance of the lenses. An advanced moulding technique based on expansion-compression moulding technology has been introduced into the market for producing precision-low stress lenses. Researchers are currently evaluating the benefits of this technique over conventional injection moulding process in providing a wider processing window with better process stability, moulding precision lenses of more complex profile, etc. Eco-technology has also been an important area with biodegradable plastics and biobased products made from renewable resources now competing and capturing an increasing market share in low-value disposables such as food-service items, bags and packaging, etc. However, until further development in new generation of biodegradable polymers with better mechanical, thermal or other specific functions, these will continue to be their main markets. RFID is another versatile technology with a myriad of application opportunities that has the potential to boost innovations in the manufacturing sector. The use of RFID technology presents opportunities fNIKE AIR JORDAN