Who went to the K-show?

There were 3,130 exhibitors this year and around 242,000 trade visitors from more than 100 countries...more exhibitors and visitors than 2003…so practically everyone! I was there the first part of the show, and attended numerous company and press events (thanks to Patrick Stapley, one of Plastics Engineering’s editors based in Europe).

I was thoroughly energized by the show. Each company was wearing its “Sunday best.” There was a lot of buzz of new partnerships, mergers, buy-outs and the like. There were all kinds of parts and products being produced on the show floor. I brought only one part back (yes a toilet hinge) but would have loved to have brought home many more. The technology and innovation are truly remarkable!

Machinery, as always, was HUGE! Nissei ASB showed the company’s first all-electric injection stretch blow molding machine. Husky showed the development of a thin-wall container with an in-mold label. Ferromatik Milacron displayed an impressive 450-metric ton press equipped with a Foboha cube mold making an innovative seat hinge for Bemis. Netstal showed an Elion 800 machine for processing polypropylene pipettes on a 36-cavity mold in less than 6 seconds, under clean room conditions. Xaloy rolled out a new energy-saving method of barrel heating for injection press using induction. Zhafir also showcased a new Venus all-electric injection-molding machine. Reifenhauser showed a high performance barrier screw which increased output by 20% and decreased melt temperature by 20°C. Engel showed a water-assisted injection system as the third injection unit on a multi-shot co-injection molding machine. Also new was Engle’s high throughput screening system, which can compound, plasticize materials, as well as mold and test specimens. Cincinnati Extrusion introduced an improved system of thermal insulation which can decrease heat by 30%. Arburg showed the Allrounder machine with 5,000kN clamp force. ABB Robotics showed their exciting IRB140 robot which allows the user to teach the robot by leading it by hand. There was so much machinery…what a wonderful time to shop while all the competition is in one place!

There were new applications and materials. Bekum was running on the floor PET bottles with handles, Sidel SA had some very light single serve bottles, and Ceracon and Demaga Plastics had their Soft Foam Injection Technology, showing a frame seal of cross-linked flexible foam. New materials reflecting increased environmental concerns ranged from sustainable packaging from NNZ BV (Netherlands) to a see-though PC roof on a “Smart for Two” car. It weights 40% less than a comparable glass-roof module lowering fuel consumption and reducing CO2 emissions. Dow had two new PP grades – one a random copolymer for a thin wall injection application. BASF has a polyarylsulfone, a high temperature material that can be sterilized as well as a new polyamide for online coatable car body parts. Also a biodegradable plastic and plastics on based on renewable raw materials. Chemtura introduced organic-based stabilizers which are more effective than calcium alternatives for PVC application.

What a wonderful networking experience the K-show was! An adrenalin rush as you speak and meet with new folks practically every ten minutes with potential for project creation and business opportunities. What an exhilarating time and at the same time what an overwhelming feeling with the size of this show. It’s a good thing it is only once every three years!