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Articles reporting on plastic products are prepared from information furnished by members of the IAPD and non-member magazine advertisers. The information provided is deemed reliable but is not verified. It should not be assumed that the publisher has reviewed or tested any of the products. For more information, contact companies by visiting their websites.

Mitsubishi Chemical Group Develops BiOpreg #400 Series Carbon Fiber Prepreg Using Plant-Derived Resin
Mitsubishi Chemical Group announced the development of a new carbon fiber prepreg material using plant-derived resin. The addition of the BiOpreg #400 Series, which contains glass fiber prepreg as well as carbon fiber prepreg, expands upon Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s BiOpreg portfolio. The company will now begin sample work for the products.

Carbon fiber prepreg is a sheet form of a carbon fiber intermediate material impregnated with resin. Sports and mobility applications have been the primary use of the prepreg due to its rapid curability, heat resistance and high toughness. The BiOpreg #400 Series uses Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s proprietary material design and technology to replace the epoxy resin for impregnation with a plant-based resin, achieving up to 25% biomass content in the product. The newly developed prepreg maintains the same performance as conventional prepreg.

Mitsubishi Chemical Group aims to expand the mobility applications for the product into fields including interior and exterior automobile materials and industrial applications, starting with sports and leisure. In automotive applications the BiOpreg #400 Series can help to reduce the weight of vehicles, therefore continuing to less consumption of resources and lowered greenhouse gas emissions during the product’s life cycle. www.mcam.com

Ensinger Introduces Bio-based and Reprocessed Materials to Reduce CO2 Emissions
Ensinger’s net-zero climate goal was recently confirmed by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). To make a further effort toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the company has introduced sustainable plastic solutions consisting of bio-based and reprocessed stock shapes. The expansion of their stock shape portfolio with two new product lines enables a significant reduction to their CO2 footprint. Ensinger’s business partners are also involved in the measures for reusing plastics.

The new bio-based plastics from Ensinger are produced from basic materials generated by the wood-processing industry, along with other organic waste. The new plastic solution will be manufactured using a similar production process to conventional plastic plates, rods and tubes, guaranteeing similar property profiles. While product specifications are comparable to conventional stock shape materials, the bio-based material may present minimal color deviations.

Ensinger’s new bio-based stock shapes, produced with mass balanced approach manufactured resins, include TECAFORM AH EF natural (POM-C), along with TECAFORM AD EF natural (POM-H), TECAPEI EF natural (PEI) and TECAST T EF natural (PA6 C).

The other new product line, reprocessed plastics, is produced from returned materials and production waste using mechanical treatment processes to give a second life to fossil fuel-based materials. The material properties of these products may deviate slightly from those of conventional materials, but the environment benefits are high. The reprocessed stock shapes are available in the form of rods, tubes and plates.

The stock shapes product family of reprocessed polymers starts with TECAPEEK RP natural (PEEK) and will be continuously amended in the future. www.ensingerplastics.com

Asahi/America, Inc. Introduces Larger Series 19 Actuator Sizes for Butterfly Valves
Series 19 S400 Actuator Sizes for Butterfly Valves by Asahi/America, Inc.
The Series 19 S400 by Asahi/America, Inc.
Asahi/America, Inc. has recently expanded its Series 19 SAV electric actuation line to include a larger sized actuator, known as the S400. The larger actuator is capable of operating on Asahi/America’s family of 8” and 10” Type-57 butterfly valves. The Series 19 S400 is a part of the SAV Smart Pack® electric actuator product line and is available as an on/off, failsafe, modulating or modulating failsafe unit.

The Series 19 S400 actuators have an output torque range up to 3540 in-lbs. They feature all of the same standard features as Series 19 product line including a heater, one set of dry contacts for programmable logic controller (PLC) confirmation and one for alarm reporting, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) screen with push buttons, local controls and a QR code for easy and instant access to user manuals.

All Asahi/America Series 19 electric actuators have a corrosion resistant NEMA 4X engineered resin enclosure with stainless steel trim to protect the unit’s reversing, brushless DC motor and permanently lubricated steel gear train. The multi-voltage unit operates at a 75% duty cycle for more frequent cycling of the valve. Compatible with most PLCs, the Series 19 is an ideal choice for OEMs and skid manufacturers where space is at a premium, but power cannot be sacrificed.

All Series 19 actuators are CE labeled and compliant, and factory mounted and tested to ensure dependable operation.

This recent addition of the S400 is the latest update to the Series 19 product portfolio that was originally launched in the fall of 2021. www.asahi-america.com

A&C Plastics, Inc. Introduces Pastel Acrylic Sheets
assortment of different colored pastel acrylic sheets by A&C Plastics, Inc.
Pastel acrylic sheets by A&C Plastics, Inc.
A&C Plastics, Inc. now offers an extensive selection of pastel acrylic sheets suited for a wide range of applications. The pastel product range includes 11 pastel shades ranging from pistachio to salmon. The opaque cast acrylic sheets feature a matte finish on one side with a glossy finish on the other. The sheets are highly durable, UV-stable and resistant to scratches and impact. Sheets are available in 1/8” x 48” x 96” size and A&C Plastics offers the ability to customize the sheets according to customer needs for size and shape.

Popular applications for the pastel acrylic sheets include signage and displays, arts and crafts, themed events and interior design. www.acplasticsinc.com

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