APSX’s new bench-top LSR injection molding machine can plug into a standard wall outlet and features an integrated cartridge system vs. standard metering.
Source: APSX

In terms of material handling, Kubi Kara, president of APSX, told Plastics Technology that the APSX-LSR is designed to use its own 2-L integrated dual-cartridge pump system. “The whole point is to give the user the freedom not to use standard metering equipment since it is so expensive,” Kara says. In the near future, the company will design a pump system for 5-gallon buckets and plans to ultimately enable integration with existing metering equipment from suppliers such as Elmet and Nexus, according to Kara.

At this time, the company will offer what it calls “a curated material portfolio,” starting with three selected LSR formulations that support the most common application requirements. These include a soft 20A Shore hardness resin for medical devices, seals and flexible components requiring maximum elasticity; a medium 40A Shore hardness — which is included with the machine — for automotive applications, gaskets and general-purpose LSR components; and a hard 70A Shore hardness grade for structural components, keypads and applications requiring dimensional stability.

The machine’s maximum shot size is 30 cm³, and it can accommodate standard LSR mold sizes up to 6 x 4.8. Clean-room compatible, the APSX-LSR features stainless steel components and hard-anodized aluminum parts, including a specialized LSR barrel with integrated cooling and stainless-steel construction. The touchscreen control has LSR-specific process monitoring and advanced temperature control with heated mold capability up to 200°C.

The APSX‑LSR is launching with early-bird pricing under $15,000.

Part and runner mold from the APSX-LSR injection molding machine. Source: APSX  

According to Chroma, the concentrates are engineered to meet the growing demands of harsh environments and rapidly evolving markets. ChromaXLPEUltra features proprietary pigments, carrier resins and additives to deliver vibrant, high-performance color at reduced loading levels of just 1–2% with VW-1 vertical flame ratings.

ChromaXLPEUltra is designed for XLPE applications. Source: Chroma Color Corp.

“We developed ChromaXLPEUltra to support customers operating in the most demanding sectors — from aerospace and mining to automotive and transcontinental power transmission,” says Jim Walsh, VP of technology at Chroma Color Corp. “This product line reflects our commitment to innovation, sustainability and safety.”

Advanced XLPE formulations are designed for harsh environments, such as those encountered in construction, mining, refineries, nuclear and hydrogen plants, transcontinental power transmission and aerospace. While upholding mechanical properties, they can be used in low-smoke, zero-halogen XLPE compounds. The formulations meet ROHS, and HMF requirements for sustainability. XLPE (UV) solutions are designed for the evolving automotive and transportation markets to support EV and hydrogen vehicles. XLPEUltra products also meet UL 746C & ASTM standards, ensuring reliability and safety.

“We are very proud to offer this unique new molecule to our customers in the plastics industry,” says Samir El Khoury, regional ´óÏó´«Ã½ manager Middle East & Africa and global product line manager polyolefin additives at Kisuma Chemicals. “As a two-in-one product, Setogem RD combines a superior balance of properties in one single environmentally friendly and cost-efficient solution that minimizes the complexity of PP formulations, enables faster processing and maximizes final part quality.”

Setogem RD is designed to improve the performance, efficiency and sustainability of plastics. Source: Kisuma Chemicals

The nucleation performance of Setogem RD is said to help resin producers promote and control the formation of crystals within the polymer, which results in PP materials with stiffness, impact strength and isotropic shrinkage. Moreover, it improves heat-deflection temperature and low-creep deformation. At the same time, acid scavenging is an integral property of the product’s composition, offering non-migratory performance even at low use levels. This contributes to a reduction in blooming and migration — critical for medical and food-contact applications facing strict regulatory demands — while ensuring corrosion protection for processing equipment and preserving the function of additives essential to long-term polymer stability, the company says.

Setogem RD is also zinc-free and reduces the need for tallow or palm oil derivatives. It enables customers to reduce the loading levels compared to other additives such as talc and sodium benzoate, from several kilograms per ton of PP to only 200 or 300 ppm. The new molecule has a very low Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions, according to Kisuma.

Setogem RD is globally available and has already received complete food-contact approvals in the EU as well as in Switzerland, Brazil and Japan. FDA approval is expected toward the end of the year. 

These samples demonstrate the colorfastness of Syensqo’s PPA. At left is a newly molded sample; at right is a sample that’s been exposed to 125°C for 1,000 hours (under D65 light source). Source: Syensqo

Syensqo's Amodel PPA HFFR-4133 OR is said to retain its bright color even under prolonged heat exposure, ensuring compliance with industry standards such as ISO 6469-3, IEC 60664 and relevant UL specifications.

“Syensqo continues to achieve new performance milestones for our Amodel PPA family of technologies to meet our customers’ stringent requirements,” says Deedee Smith, head of transportation marketing at Syensqo. “Our latest innovation not only enhances safety but also offers our clients a pre-colored orange resin, eliminating the need for in-press coloring and streamlining the manufacturing process.”

Orange coloration makes high-voltage components readily identifiable. Source: Syensqo

The Amodel PPA HFFR-4133 OR is hot-water moldable and has a V0 rating, making it an appropriate choice for high-voltage automotive applications.

Syensqo is adding Amodel PPA HFFR-4133 OR to a portfolio of battery solutions including Xencor LFT XTreme PPA LGF-1045 ECHO BP, which was developed for components requiring thermal runaway protection and Amodel PPA AE-8945 HFFR, which was developed for high-voltage pyrofuses. 

ADINS provides flame retardancy without ATO or halogens and is compatible with multiple polymer matrices. Source: Tolsa.

“ADINS stands out because it delivers real ATO-free formulations improving fire performance due to its synergy effect enhancing the char formation. ADINS is more than an ATO replacement, it reduces the smoke and heat release while improving the anti-dripping effect,” says Marta Sacristán, functional additives technical manager at Tolsa. 

ADINS Flame Retardancy products are being validated by international compounders and producers. The Italian company  has successfully integrated Tolsa’s ADINS technology into its Veaflame masterbatch. This solution not only eliminates the need for ATO in final products but also enhances overall fire performance and sustainability, aligning with the growing regulatory and environmental demands in the plastic and rubber industries.

The system has already demonstrated results in rubber applications. In halogen-free flame-retardant (HFFR) compounds for cable manufacturing, designed to meet the stringent CPR standards, ADINS has significantly reduced peak heat release and smoke production while improving the char structure. Similarly, in rubber safety shoe soles, the new ATO-free formulation is said to enhance fire resistance through the formation of denser and more compact char, offering a smarter and safer alternative to traditional flame retardants.

ISO 9513- and ASTM E83-compliant, the AVE3 allows labs to test to any standard with one device, without needing to purchase and maintain multiple clip-on extensometers. The AVE3 can be configured to accommodate a range of gauge lengths and elongations while new kinematic mounting enables each lens to automatically snap into the factory-calibrated location.

Instron’s AVE3 non-contacting video extensometer uses patent-pending Constant Density Air Tunnel (CDAT) technology to protect the testing area and specimens from ambient interference. Source: Instron

To guard against lab air disturbances emanating from HVAC systems and human operators’ movements, the AVE3 uses Instron’s patent-pending Constant Density Air Tunnel (CDAT) technology to create what the company describes as a “force field–like protective barrier” around the test space.

Instron’s dynamic cross-polarized lighting system accommodates for fluctuating lighting conditions in different lab spaces. The patented system dynamically adjusts its brightness to ensure all markings on the specimen are well illuminated for consistent results.

In accordance with ISO 6892-1 and ASTM E8 standards, the AVE3 extensometer enables closed-loop strain rate control. In a release, Casey Willis, Instron’s product manager for strain measurement devices, noted the particular challenges that the AVE3’s CDAT and illumination systems address. “Environmental variability has long been the Achilles’ heel of optical strain measurement,” Willis says. “Even minor shifts in lab temperature or lighting can introduce significant signal noise and undermine data integrity.”

The AVE3 ships with a new, simplified calibration plate that can clip directly onto the specimen — with the load string intact — making it easier for operators to confirm that their existing calibration is still valid. Full calibrations can be completed in less than a minute, reducing the time it takes to begin testing, according to the company.

Optional add-ons include AverEdge32, which simultaneously measures strain at 32 locations along the specimen gauge length, then averages them in real-time. Labs can also record testing images to be used with the optional Digital Image Correlation (DIC) software, which compares images of a tested specimen’s surface to generate full-field strain and displacement maps, synchronized with Bluehill Universal test data.

Powered by a “revolutionary” new sensor technology named Scorpion, Hydramotion says the unit “brings the traditional laboratory insight to the heart of the melt stream, with a simple, easy-to-use device, that is small and lightweight with no maintenance costs.”

A real-time view of melt flow data empowers the operators with insights on what’s going on inside the extruder, melt pipe or tank, enabling them to adjust the process accordingly, Hydramotion says. The supplier explains that responding in real time can help users reduce scrap rates, improve energy consumption and boost productivity. 

Source: Hydramotion Ltd.

The Scorpion sensor technology reportedly works with virtually all polymers. It is designed to be a plug-and-play, drop-in replacement for current capillary or lab-based technology. The sensor is said to be built for longevity and low maintenance; it has no gearboxes, melt pumps or other moving parts, and is said to fit seamlessly into standard thread ports on extruders and narrow bore melt pipes.

Initially, Hydramotion is focusing on installations for extruders, melt pipes and tanks. Applications in injection and blow molding are said to be in the works. 

BASF’s new Ultramid grade was developed for electric vehicle high-voltage connections. 
Source: BASF

The flame-retardant Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 is halide-free as defined by EN 50642, extending the lifetime of E&E components. According to the company, this prevents contact corrosion and subsequent failure of sensitive electrical parts exposed to heat and moisture. The PPA achieves fire protection class UL94 with V-0 at 0.25 mm. It also enables long-lasting color coding, which is safety-relevant in areas with high voltages. It meets all the criteria of color stability and heat-aging resistance. In in-house tests, BASF confirmed the color stability after 1,000 hours at up to 150°C. Pre-colored variants like the e-mobility standard orange RAL 2003 are available directly from BASF. For self-coloring, more than 50 inorganic and organic colorants, which are approved for coloring PPAs and show a heat stability up to 350°C, can be used.

“Our new nonhalogenated grade combines the excellent properties of our superhero Ultramid Advanced N with better colorability, long color stability and outstanding anti-corrosion effect,” says Volker Zeiher from technical development engineering plastics at BASF. “With this optimized PA9T, our customers can develop innovative, best-in-class E&E components supported by BASF’s proven flame-retardant expertise and material know-how for electronics manufacturing. Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 is part of BASF’s tailored flame-retardant PPA portfolio for the E&E industry that advances the development of challenging parts in consumer electronics, automotive battery systems and electric powertrains.”

Pollen AM’s Pam Pro provides larger build volume and faster speeds than its predecessor, the pam o2. Source: Pollen AM

Pam Pro succeeds the pam o2, which is dedicated to research applications, prototyping and small production runs. Pam Pro's print volume has been greatly increased to 680 x 680 x 500 mm. Pollen AM also has accelerated Pam Pro's printing speed by a factor of six while maintaining high resolution. Its extrusion head, capable of printing 500 mm/s at over 300°C, measures between 0.25 and 2.5 mm, with the option of adapting it to an IDEX version, i.e., with two extruders for multiple mirror or multimaterial printing. Equipped with a real-time monitoring camera, AI diagnostics for defect detection can be installed in the printing chamber.

The entire 3D printing process is fully automated, simplifying the use of Pam Pro, according to the company.

“With our flagship pam o2 model, we had opted for an expert positioning, with a mandatory manufacturer support before the sale. Now we've broadened the spectrum with Pam Pro. We have ensured that this solution is automated and therefore accessible to all users wishing to produce using additive manufacturing,” says Didier Fonta, managing director of Pollen AM.

Pam Pro already has a broad portfolio of printable materials: PLA, TPE (45 Shore A), TPU (85 Shore A), PP 15GF, PA 15GF and BVOH (water-soluble material).

The pam o2 and Pam Pro 3D printers are manufactured in France. They are said to offer users a production tool that can be adapted to project needs. Aimed at production customers, design offices, laboratories, research centers, academics and various industries, the printers can be used to directly transform standard injection materials, for the benefit of familiar properties.

The first 50 Pam Pros will be delivered between September and December 2025, and pre-orders are already available.

Key features include:

• Advanced drive systems (main and traverse)
• Optional AB dual 5-hp, 480-V, 3-phase, 60-Hz AC Vector Tire Drive for speed, torque or dancer-controlled operations (0-30 rpm)
• Allen-Bradley automatic traverse drive system ensures constant traverse speed for high-quality level-wind, digitally programmable for materials up to 3" diameter
• Portal ground drive system for reduced fleeting angles
• Improved safety by eliminating drive pins
• Floating Pintle design for reel alignment
• Maintenance and user friendly

Source: Reel Power Industries