ASEAN Plastics Technology Showcase

The ASEAN Plastics Technology Showcase will present promising, innovative technologies in materials and plastics processing to ASEAN-based processors who are targeting differentiation and diversification into key market sectors with competitive potential in Singapore and the region.
Company Theme	Chuan Durn Plastic Industries Pte Ltd Eco-technology
Eco-Wood Tech is an eco material developed through R&D by Chuan Durn Plastic Industries Pte Ltd.  It is a combination of waste plastic and natural waste like saw dust, husk etc. and it is recyclable.  Having a higher percentage of natural composite, eco-wood can restrain the temperature change and durable to replace material like wood for benches, bridge and even as building material.  It can also be used to produce household products or gardening wares.
Company Theme Presentation	Europlasma NV Surface Treatment Technologies Low pressure plasma for surface modification of plastics
Europlasma is a global player in the manufacturing of low pressure plasma systems.  Through it’s worldwide agency network, Europlasma can guarantee excellent services to its customers.  There are four types of low pressure plasma processing: cleaning, etching, activation and polymerization. Most used plasma processes in industry are the activation and polymerization processes. The activation process is in most cases a pre-treatment to improve the adhesion of e.g. paints, glues.  While for the polymerization process, a permanent layer is deposited onto the substrate to obtain certain surface characteristics such as permanent water repellent properties, permanent hydrophilic properties, biocompatible properties.
Company Theme Presentation	GF Technology Sdn Bhd Surface Treatment Technologies Plasma Translucent Coating of Plastic
They will present the world first plasma translucent VM coating on Plastic.  The plasma coating does not require spray premier coating like traditional translucent VM coating, they have developed the vacuum premier coating that same the processes.  They have also develop multiplayer IR cut filter on plastic, hardcoating, finger print resistance coating, optical filter on plastic, anti static coating, birefringence reduce coating.
Company Theme Presentation	Hypertronics Pte Ltd Optics / Photonics Lasers with Scan Vision System
Hypertronics is proud to present our PATENTED Scan Vision system. This innovative system has seamlessly integrated the vision into the laser scanning head. The system is capable to determine the location of the device accurately, either to be marked or to add-on the existing mark. Besides, it can be used to determine the absence or even the orientation of the device. The system is in-cooperated with high speed galvanometers to rotate its mirrors. Thus, neither the camera nor the work-piece is needed to be moved for capturing the images in different locations. The moving time is in term of milliseconds. This feature is the most useful in matrix type of handling, for example in trays with devices in none fitting pockets. Each device can be fiducial checked, immediately marked and then data verification in the same instance and location.
Company Theme	Institute of Chemical and Engineering Services Nano Composite
The Institute of Chemical and Engineering Sciences (ICES) is a research institute within A-Star and located at Jurong Island. Our mission is the development of new technologies, training of manpower and support for Singapore's chemical industry. The Applied Catalysis group at ICES has recently initiated a research program on olefin polymerization and biomass conversion. Our ambition is to be a center of excellence for the development of polymerization catalysts within A-Star. To meet this aim, we are equipped with state of the art facilities for catalyst synthesis, high pressure reactions and  polymer analysis. Our current research areas in polyolefins are: New metallocene, multi-nuclear and immobilized catalysts, copolymers, polymer functionalization and nanocomposites. We have developed a new strategy for the fabrication of layered-silicate polyethylene nanocomposites by intercalative polymerization. Samples will be displayed at the exhibition. In the area of biomass, our focus is on polylactic acid (PLA). We are developing new catalysts for the ring-opening polymerization of lactide to macrocylic oligomers, end-functionalized PLA, layered silicate nanocomposites and block copolymers
Company Theme Presentation	Institute of Materials Research & Engineering Plastic Electronics Electronic Materials (Organic Solar Cells)
Clean and renewable energy is urgently demanded world-wide. Solar energy is an inexhaustible source and can satisfy the world’s energy demand if we know how to make use of it. One way to harvest the solar energy is to use organic solar cells. Currently, many solar cells in the world are made from a refined, highly purified silicon crystal. The high cost of these silicon solar cells and their complex production process has generated interest in developing alternative photovoltaic technologies. Compared to silicon-based devices, organic solar cells are lightweight, disposable, inexpensive to fabricate, flexible, designable on the molecular level, and have little potential for negative environmental impact. Organic solar cells could be manufactured by solution processing techniques (e.g. roll to roll manufacturing), which could significantly reduce the cost of solar energy. Organic solar cells can be extensively used in both the commercial and private sectors. There are such a wide variety of potential applications, e.g. cars equipped with solar energy engine instead of diesel and gas ones, handy TV, phones, etc.
Company Theme Presentation	Institute of Materials Research & Engineering Nano Composite Polymer Nanocomposites
IMRE’s current research on polymer nanocomposites focuses on exfoliating and/or dispersing nanofillers in polymer matrices to maximise their physical, thermal and mechanical properties via the so-called nano-effect. Novel slurry compounding approach has been developed to exfoliate clay in polymer. Non-covalent functionalization of carbon nanotube has also been successfully developed. With the incorporation of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS), polymer nanocomposite coating materials have been developed with improved surface hardness, scratch resistance, adhesion and abrasion resistances. Those high performance polymer nanocomposites could find wide applications such as structure materials in aircraft and automobiles, printed circuit boards, electronic packaging, electromagnetic interference shielding, food packaging and surface coating.
Company Theme Presentation	Meiban Group Ltd Surface Treatment Technologies Spray Painting Technology
Consumers today expect their products to be visually appealing. As such surface decoration has become a key product differentiator in a highly competitive world.  Here at Meiban, we are able to achieve a variety of realistic finishing through combining creative surface texturing with innovative paint technologies.
Company Theme Presentation	Nissei Plastic Singapore Pte Ltd Nano Composite High Performance Composite Materials
Next-generation multi-functional composite material developed by the technology of compounding carbon nanotubes (CNT) and resin. Materialization of uniform dispersion* of CNT, which has been considered to be impossible hitherto, to offer an excellent-quality composite material. VOLTIGA, characterized by high strength, lightweight, antistatic performance, easy heat release, high moldability, and excellent dimensional accurancy, will evolve product making. * NISSEI Pre-mixed method
Company Theme Presentation	Protool Systems International Pte Ltd Polymer Technologies for Medical Applications Hot Runner Designed for Medical Application
Most molds built for medical devices require hot runner because regrinding of runners is normally not allowed. Our hot runner technology is specially developed for high volume disposable medical products.  Our patented sealing technology makes it possible to have very small spacing between injection points (as small as 6mm). As a result, molds built using our technology are very compact. For example, we are able to reduce the size of a typical multi-cavity mold (above 32 cavity) by as much as 50%. This way we can have a higher number of cavities for the same press, thus, increasing the productivity. Side gating which is typically required for medical devices is also made feasibly with our patented technology.
Company Theme	RTP Company (Singapore) Pte Ltd 1.  Plastic Electronics 2.  Polymer Technologies for Medical Applications
Presentation description available soon.
Company Theme Presentation	SIMTech Alternative Process Technologies Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) / Vacuum Infusion Process (VIP)
Thermoplastics are common choices in many applications (that require polymers) due to a wide variety of options in material properties and its ability to be mass produced rapidly.  In comparison, thermosets while offering excellent mechanical performance at much lower material costs tends to be found in applications where low volume quantity and large part size are involved.  One of the main reasons being that thermosets need to be cured, thereby increasing the production time.  Resin Transfer Molding (RTM), vacuum infusion process (VIP), etc. are some of the alternative techniques for fabricating low volume, high structural performance thermoset composites. For mass production though, reactive injection molding and transfer molding can still offers mass production.  SIMTech researchers are working on RTM and VIP to offer technology support in both process and material development for high performance structural polymer composite parts.
Company Theme Presentation	SIMTech Polymer Technologies for Medical Applications Applications of Polymer Materials in Microfluidic and Biomedical Device Manufacturing
Microfluidics is a multidisciplinary science and technology field that deals with the designing, fabricating, and manufacturing of micro devices and processes to study the behavior, precise control, and manipulation of liquids or fluids of minuscule volumes down to nanoliters or even picoliters. Microfluidic devices can be used for many diagnostic and biomedical analysis applications due to the quick response time and possibility for on site disposable applications. However, many microfluidic devices are so far manufactured using silicon or glass materials through batch process methods. Polymer materials have shown great potential in medical device industry due to low cost, wide range of properties and easy processing. In this showcase the research activities in biopolymer and microfluidic devices manufacturing technology development in SIMTech will be introduced. In particular, the development work in polymer biochip design and manufacturing for biomedical diagnostic applications will be highlighted.
Company Theme Presentation	SIMTech Eco-Technology Biodegradable Polymers
Sustainability, industrial ecology, ecoefficiency, and green chemistry are the new drivers guiding the development of eco-technologies for products and processes.  Biodegradable plastics and biobased products made from renewable resources are 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.  Materials development can serve as a feasible solution to widen the applications of such materials and open up a range of new commercial opportunities.  These include developments of bio-composites, bio-polymer blends with controllable degradation profile, etc.. For example, polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable thermoplastic produced from lactic acid that can be obtained from the fermentation of natural resources.  While it has high mechanical properties, it has low thermal properties.  SIMTech researchers are working on ways to improve the thermal resistance of PLA so that the HDT of the modified PLA can be increased to above 80ºC.
Company Theme Presentation	SIMTech RFID Enhance Efficiency and Gain Visibility in Manufacturing Execution with RFID
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a 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 for cost reduction, process innovation, efficiency generation, and service improvement.  This showcase demonstrates the usefulness of RFID in tracking work-in-progress and finished goods movement across the entire production line. The showcase includes the latest development in RFID middleware technology, RFID readers and tags.
Company Theme Presentation	SIMTech Surface Treatment Technologies Abrasion Resistant Sol-gel Decorative Coatings for Plastics
The advantages of plastics are further improved by appropriate coatings that enhance both appearance and performance. Sol-gel derived hybrid organic-inorganic materials can form such decorative surface finishes with improved abrasion resistance as compared to organic paints. Due to the incorporation of inorganic components in the hybrid material and optional incorporation of nanoparticles, coating hardness can be significantly increased leading to enhanced surface protection. Decorative function is achieved by the incorporation of pigments. These can be simple colour pigments or more advanced interference pigments to add sparkle to the coated part. Additional functions can also be introduced such as controlled coefficient of friction or the control of surface energy, for water and oil repellent finish, anti-soil finish. The coatings are easily deposited by spraying on a variety of plastics such as acrylics or polycarbonate and cured by heating. Relatively low film thickness of 2-10 microns can be used thus reducing material consumption. SIMTech develops coating formulations and is able to address specific request to produce custom made coating material formulations.
Company Theme Presentation	SIMTech Photonics / Optics Lenses
In opto-electronics industry, many applications can be found when opto-electro components are used in combination with other technologies. According to OIDA (Optoelectronics Industry Development Association), the optoelectronics market is predicted to reach nearly $500 billion by 2013. The use of plastic for optic lenses offers several advantages such as light weight, design flexibility, mass producible by injection molding, low cost, etc..  With advancement in machining technology for delivering highly precision lens inserts, the key technical challenges in injection molding of plastic lenses lies in ability to consistently replicate the profiles of the inserts to deliver lenses of desired profile specifications.  Molded-in-stress typically associated with injection molding process will also give rise to image distortion and birefringence, thereby affecting the optical performance of the lenses.  An advanced molding technique based on expansion-compression molding technology has been introduced into the market for producing precision low-stress lenses.  SIMTech researchers are evaluating the benefits of this technique over conventional injection molding process in providing a wider processing window with better process stability, molding precision lenses of more complex profile, etc.
Company Theme Presentation	TS Industrial Services Pte Ltd Alternative Process Technologies Revolutionary New Melt Technology for Melt Technology for the Plastics Industry
Presenting a revolutionary nXheatTM Melt-Stream Heating System (patents pending) generates heat directly within the barrel wall using non-contact AC induction.  A layer of high-performance thermal insulation is interposed between the induction coils and the barrel to retain the heat in the process and keep the exterior surface cool-to-the-touch.  An electrical inverter (nXheatTM power module) switches power on and off to the induction coil in response to the on-off command of a conventional temperature controller. The major benefits of the new heating method includes: 1.    Reduces heating system power consumption by up to 70% 2.    Shortens heating and cooling response times from minutes to seconds 3.    Eliminates band-heater failures 4.    Eliminates asymmetric heating around the barrel