Newton, Kansas-based Bunting Magnetics Co. is introducing a high-temperature version of its FF Series drawer magnet for the plastics industry that can perform at a drawer temperature of 350 degrees.

Bunting will debut the Hi Temp FF Drawer Magnet, the FF350m at NPE 2018 in Orlando, Florida, May 7-11. Bunting original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and end-user customers will be able to discuss the specifications and have hands-on demos with actual drawers.

“Current equipment manufacturers of the molding machines and dryers are looking to process at higher material temperatures, and the FF 350 Hi Temp Drawer Magnet addresses these new requirements of the industry,” says Brock Herrmann, product manager, magnetic separation. “High heat can be damaging to rare earth magnets, so it’s important to balance the need to handle higher temperature plastics but retain the holding value of our magnets.” 

The Hi Temp FF drawer is most often installed above the opening of the molding machine and plastic resin passes through the drawer to remove ferrous contaminants. This ensures a cleaner, higher quality product, Bunting says. It also protects the molding machine from damage arising from tramp metal.

The Hi Temp FF drawer can be used in any plastic molding or extrusion application, the company says. Because the drawer sits at the opening of the molding machine, in applications where the resin needs to be dried and/or preheated to more than 300 degrees at the introduction to the molding machine, the magnets will be subjected to higher temperatures.

In addition to the magnet upgrade, the Lexan viewing window has been replaced with a polycarbonate one that will hold up under the higher temperature conditions, Bunting says. “We thought everything through on this redesign so that even the plastic knobs that latch down the drawer are designed for the higher temperatures,” Herrmann says.

“We went further than the actual required temperature rating to make sure this design would be effective in the future,” he continues. “Other brands of magnetic separators simply won’t retain their magnet strength over time with the higher temps we are seeing in the industry. So far, we aren’t aware of any competing product that can match the temperature rating, along with the pounds holding value of our magnets.”

Because the design of the housing for the Hi Temp FF Drawer Magnet is the same as Bunting’s standard FF, the drawers and accessories can be purchased independently to complement the existing housing. 

Cyklop, an international supplier of industrial packaging systems for load securement, has increased productivity, reduced downtime and cut waste in the production of strapping tape from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle flake using an advanced melt filtration system from Nordson Corp., headquartered in Westlake, Ohio.  

At its facility in Cologne, Germany, Cyklop GmbH (https://www.cyklop.de/) replaced an older hydraulically powered backflush screen changer with the recently introduced BKG HiCon™ V-Type 3G system from Nordson. Cyklop reports that the new screen changer reduces operating costs because it needs 30 percent fewer backflushes and requires screen changes 40 percent less frequently, according to a news release issued by Nordson.

Employed in a production line at throughput rates of 450 to 550 kilograms per hour, the HiCon V-Type 3G system maintains flow and melt pressure at constant levels, ensuring uniform product quality, Bernd Causemann, plant manager, says.

“The BKG HiCon V-Type 3G screen changer requires less maintenance and operator supervision than either the older Nordson system or a backflush system from a competing supplier,” Causemann says. “The higher efficiency of the V-Type 3G screen changer means fewer backflushes and less material waste. The system is particularly good in dealing with contamination surges since the filtration area is regenerated very effectively in a short amount of time.”

In the BKG HiCon V-Type 3G screen changer, melt flow from the extruder is split at the entry side and guided to four screen cavities on two screen-bearing pistons with screens in each cavity, Nordson says. Each pair of cavities is positioned to filter their respective melt streams until the piston removes one of the cavities from the process to remove contaminant buildup by means of backflushing. In normal operation, polymer is flowing through all four cavities. While one of the screens in the cavities is changed or flushed, the other three—or 75 percent—remain in the process so that throughput remains uninterrupted.  

The backflushing cycle is automated. In addition to the two screen-bearing pistons, a single hydraulically actuated displacement piston operates during backflushing. When the differential pressure across the screen changer increases to a preset level because of contaminant buildup, the backflush sequence for all cavities will be started automatically, the supplier says. For each cavity, the displacement piston retracts, creating a reservoir of filtered molten polymer. This material is then hydraulically compressed and discharged in reverse direction, back through the screen, carrying away contaminant for removal from the system. The sequence is performed for each cavity one after the other.

“In comparison with the earlier V-Type system, the height of the new HiCon V-Type 3G screen changer has been reduced by 30 percent, permitting a lower extrusion height,” says Christian Schroeder, global product manager for BKG melt delivery products. “A single displacement piston is used for backflushing instead of having one for each screen cavity, and hydraulic piping has been optimized.” 

Atlanta-based WestRock, a leading providing of differentiated paper and packaging solutions, says it has renewed its membership with The Recycling Partnership, a national nonprofit based in Falls Church, Virginia, that leverages corporate funding to improve recycling. This is the fourth consecutive year that WestRock has supported the organization.  

“WestRock is an industry leader that has consistently put sustainability at the forefront of its operations,” says Keefe Harrison, CEO of The Recycling Partnership. “Without the support of our funders, our goal to improve recycling across the country would be unachievable.

“By renewing their membership,” she continues, “WestRock is helping advance our mission of building stronger recycling systems, creating jobs, and protecting the environment.”

Since 2015, The Recycling Partnership has assisted more than 500 communities in improving their recycling efforts, reaching more than 26 million households. The organization has invested more than $27 million of corporate funding in recycling infrastructure.

WestRock says its commitment to protecting the environment extends beyond recycling. The company advocates for responsible consumption of resources and has set sustainability goals for water use, recycling and energy efficiency.

“WestRock believes in making sensible decisions about how we use today’s resources to ensure the environment is protected for future generations, and recycling is a natural fit for advancing this mission,” says DJ VanDeusen, senior vice president, recycling, at WestRock. “The Recycling Partnership is a true partner, providing with us valuable data in the communities we serve (or have the opportunity to serve), education resources in these communities and the advancement of recycling expansion across the country.”

Toronto-based environmental services firm GFL Environmental Inc. has closed on the acquisition of Smithrite Disposal and Carney’s Waste Systems, both located in British Columbia in western Canada. The acquired companies provide solid waste, recyclables and organic food waste collection, plus additional hauling, processing and management services.

GFL indicates the acquisition will complement and extend its existing solid and liquid waste operations in British Columbia.

“Smithrite's success under the leadership of Gordon Smith has been driven by the same customer focus that has been the key to GFL's growth,” says Patrick Dovigi, GFL's founder and CEO. “Bringing our two businesses together means that we will be able to provide even more sustainable, environmental solutions to our customers. We are confident that the common commitment of our employees to excellent customer service will make the integration of our service offerings seamless. We are excited to have Gordon and more than 300 employees of Smithrite and Carney's join the GFL team.” 

Gordon Smith, president of both Smithrite and Carney’s, remarks, “When my father and mother started the Smithrite business in 1947, they were driven by the core values of hard work and customer first that have continued to guide us for over 70 years. GFL shares these values. Joining the GFL team will increase our ability to support the communities and customers we serve and provide more opportunities for Smithrite and Carney's employees.”