1100813 SPE March 2011.qxd:SPE February 2011
Ontario
Spectator the Newsletter of the Ontario Section of SPE www.4spe.org www.speontario.com
March 2011
SPE DINNER MEETING – THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011 Ontario Biofeedstock in Thermoplastic Composites for Automotive Applications Leonardo C. Simon, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo
T
he major components in the formulation of thermoplastic composites used in the automotive industry can be classified as resins, fillers, fibers or additives. Agricultural fibers are lightweight and annually renewable materials that can contribute to sustainable transportation. Therefore, agricultural by-products can be used as feedstock for manufacturing fillers or fibers for polyolefin thermoplastic composites. Wheat straw is of great interest because it is available annually in large quantities on a global scale and it does not compete with the food feed supply chain. In 2009 Ford Motors Company started using polypropylene with wheat straw in the manufacturing of the Ford Flex vehicle built in Oakville, Ontario. This
presentation will discuss the roadmap for innovation and the role of the BioCar Initiative in this innovation. This presentation will also discuss technical aspects about the structure of the wheat straw in terms of morphology (particle shape, size and aspect ratio), chemical composition (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin), density and its thermal degradation (temperatures and activation energy). This discussion will then be extended to four other materials: soy, flax, hemp and sisal. These natural fibers were used in the formulation of polypropylene thermoplastic composites and their properties were compared. The properties of these thermoplastic composites will be discussed in terms of the properties of the natural fibers.
LOCATION Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/Mississauga 1870 Matheson Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 0B3 (Eglinton Ave. and Dixie Rd.) Social Hour: 6:00 – 7:00 PM • Dinner: 7:00 PM • Presentation: 7:45 PM
Members $45.00, Non-Members $55.00, Students $25.00 Payment to be made at the event. Please register by contacting: Chris Wilson at 416-847-7000 ext. 258; [email protected] Also, registration is available online; please visit www.speontario.com
DON’T FORGET! Plant Tour: Dominion Colour Corporation – April 28, 2011 199 New Toronto Street, Toronto Tour time commences at 4:30 pm (to 6:00 pm) • Dinner: 6:30 pm, TBD
SPE NEWS New Members
SPE MEMBER CLASSIFIEDS
We would like to welcome the following new members:
SPE Member: Shu-de Rong
Donald A. Berrill Stephen C. Taylor Mark W. Field Salvatore Benincasa Andrew Horsman Joaquin G. Zoque Changwei Zhu
Contact #: 905 604 0529 Email: [email protected] (please note spacings)
Position: Seeking employment as a Polymer Chemist
Qiang Liu Vladmir S. Mironov Changwei Zhu Haile Atsbha Mark Badger James A. Vandenham
Information on these resins or on any of DuPont Canadaʼs wide range of technical support services is available by calling: (905) 821-5953 or 1-(800) 268-3943.
SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION? A tremendous resource for Information and News! Check out www.myplasticsinfo.com. This site provides visitors with articles from more than 3000 publications. You can also sign up for a free e-mail newsletter informing you of trends in the plastics industry.
Ontario Spectator
March 2011
2
MARCH 2011 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Year of the “What’s Up Doc?” (i.e., Rabbit) If you read the February and March 2010 Spectator President’s Message, you might remember that I discussed the Lunar calendar, Year of the Tiger, and play on words with year of the “Triple T”.
Some insight on the features of people born in the Year of the Rabbit: they are compassionate, creative and sensitive. They also keep to themselves and avoid friction. Rabbits are social and peaceful. They like to build strong relationships with friends and family. Rabbits are quick and intelligent and are able to PHIL LEM negotiate themselves out of predicaments. The rabbit is a symbol of mercy (compassion) and elegance. Disclaimer: This is general information, so please don’t hold me to this. There are many other factors that reinforce some of these traits, including the time they are born (hour, minute and seconds). I love the “play-on words”, and there are already many I can come up with for the year of the “R” (Rabbit). Here are some, including carryovers from the Year of the Tiger, 2011: “Return of the Tiger, Revitalizing Toyota, Joe Robb (the waffle man), Russell Williams (sorry to bring this up), Raptors (remember them), Royal Ontario Golf Club (June SPE Golf tournament – had to put this in), Revolution in Egypt, Resignation of Mubarak and Resin Pricing (again),” to name just a few. I’ll give you a recap later in the year and see what has transpired.
As of February 3, 2011, it’s now the Year of the Rabbit. We transition from a roaring and dynamic roller coaster year to a calmer environment. However, the preload carried over from 2010 to 2011 will result with some uncertainties. It is also a Wood Rabbit in a Metal Year. Globally and economically, there will be different opportunities and threats to watch out for.
Have a peaceful and prosperous Year of the Rabbit! Speaking of resin pricing, I extracted the following from Plastics News, written by Frank Esposito. I hope you find it informative if you missed it the first time around.
The Rabbit is the fourth animal in the lunar calendar after the Rat, Ox and Tiger. Two of my colleagues already have children in this first month of the lunar calendar.
continued on page 4
EVOPRENE® THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS FLEXIBLE PVC AND TPR COMPOUNDS
AlphaGary Market Leadership in Specialty Compounds
ISO 9001 REGISTERED UK • CANADA • US
March 2011
3
ARIFF WAKANI PRESIDENT
TEL (905) 662 5735 xt 5007 FAX (905) 662 1683 [email protected]
Ontario Spectator
MARCH 2011 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Resin Pricing – Commodity Thermoplastics
SPE Honored Service Member, HSM
For February 07, 2011 P indicates a price increase for that material is pending.
Prices are in U.S. cents per pound for prime resin, unfilled, natural color, FOB supplier, unless otherwise indicated. Prices are generated from interviews with North American buyers and suppliers. The information provided is based on sources believed to be reliable but its accuracy or timeliness is not guaranteed and no warranties of any kind are provided.Plastics News does not intend to specify the price of the materials listed. For price quotes on specific materials, contact the supplier.
SPE’s HSM distinction is meant to honour those volunteers within the Society who have shown outstanding long-term leadership service to SPE. Points are assigned based on “regular” service categories, such as Section or Division board membership, officer positions, et cetera. Different positions are weighted to recognize the different time and effort commitments of service. These weights give higher levels of commitment and responsibility more points than positions of lesser responsibility. For example, serving as a board member is weighted less than service as a board president. In addition, the committee is allowed to add discretionary points (up to 20% of the total pre-discretionary points) for achievement as outlined in the application. For example, if someone has founded a new Division, started a new and successful conference, instituted a scholarship program, done special fundraising, or had achievements/ contributions at the Society level for SPE or The SPE Foundation, there’s an opportunity within the point system for the HSM Election Committee to award additional points for those contributions. The HSM Point Scoring Worksheet (on the SPE website) will help you evaluate how likely it is that your candidate will be approved. Note: all figures are raw scores before discretionary points are assigned. Very likely > 60 points Likely 45-60 points Unlikely < 45 points In our section, S28, Ontario Section, I’d like to recognize the six individuals who have achieved this distinction over the many years of voluntary service. Two of them are still on the board, as our Councillor and Director. In alphabetical order they are: Dennis Bayley, Russell Broome, Michael Newman, Ralph Nunnaro, John Perdikoulias and Paul Waller. On behalf of the 2010-11 SPE Board of Directors, I’d like to thank them for their work and for helping create the foundation for us.
Ontario Spectator
March 2011
4
WE BUY AND PROCESS PE, PVC, PP, HIPS, PET, ABS, PC REGRIND, REPRO AND VIRGIN We supply recycled and virgin Engg. and commodity resins
Tel: (905) 273-7400 • Fax: (905) 273-6700 www.kaltrading.com • [email protected]
Monthly Newsletters Available Via Internet The current month’s newsletter can be viewed and printed during the first week of the month by going to www.4spe.org and selecting Technical Groups. Use the Browse by Location tool to select Ontario or http://speontario.com/. Alternatively, you can go directly to http://www.4spe.org/technical-groups/sections/ontario
Spectator the Newsletter of the Ontario Section of SPE www.4spe.org www.speontario.com
March 2011
SPE DINNER MEETING – THURSDAY, MARCH 17, 2011 Ontario Biofeedstock in Thermoplastic Composites for Automotive Applications Leonardo C. Simon, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo
T
he major components in the formulation of thermoplastic composites used in the automotive industry can be classified as resins, fillers, fibers or additives. Agricultural fibers are lightweight and annually renewable materials that can contribute to sustainable transportation. Therefore, agricultural by-products can be used as feedstock for manufacturing fillers or fibers for polyolefin thermoplastic composites. Wheat straw is of great interest because it is available annually in large quantities on a global scale and it does not compete with the food feed supply chain. In 2009 Ford Motors Company started using polypropylene with wheat straw in the manufacturing of the Ford Flex vehicle built in Oakville, Ontario. This
presentation will discuss the roadmap for innovation and the role of the BioCar Initiative in this innovation. This presentation will also discuss technical aspects about the structure of the wheat straw in terms of morphology (particle shape, size and aspect ratio), chemical composition (cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin), density and its thermal degradation (temperatures and activation energy). This discussion will then be extended to four other materials: soy, flax, hemp and sisal. These natural fibers were used in the formulation of polypropylene thermoplastic composites and their properties were compared. The properties of these thermoplastic composites will be discussed in terms of the properties of the natural fibers.
LOCATION Hilton Garden Inn Toronto Airport West/Mississauga 1870 Matheson Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario L4W 0B3 (Eglinton Ave. and Dixie Rd.) Social Hour: 6:00 – 7:00 PM • Dinner: 7:00 PM • Presentation: 7:45 PM
Members $45.00, Non-Members $55.00, Students $25.00 Payment to be made at the event. Please register by contacting: Chris Wilson at 416-847-7000 ext. 258; [email protected] Also, registration is available online; please visit www.speontario.com
DON’T FORGET! Plant Tour: Dominion Colour Corporation – April 28, 2011 199 New Toronto Street, Toronto Tour time commences at 4:30 pm (to 6:00 pm) • Dinner: 6:30 pm, TBD
SPE NEWS New Members
SPE MEMBER CLASSIFIEDS
We would like to welcome the following new members:
SPE Member: Shu-de Rong
Donald A. Berrill Stephen C. Taylor Mark W. Field Salvatore Benincasa Andrew Horsman Joaquin G. Zoque Changwei Zhu
Contact #: 905 604 0529 Email: [email protected] (please note spacings)
Position: Seeking employment as a Polymer Chemist
Qiang Liu Vladmir S. Mironov Changwei Zhu Haile Atsbha Mark Badger James A. Vandenham
Information on these resins or on any of DuPont Canadaʼs wide range of technical support services is available by calling: (905) 821-5953 or 1-(800) 268-3943.
SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION? A tremendous resource for Information and News! Check out www.myplasticsinfo.com. This site provides visitors with articles from more than 3000 publications. You can also sign up for a free e-mail newsletter informing you of trends in the plastics industry.
Ontario Spectator
March 2011
2
MARCH 2011 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Year of the “What’s Up Doc?” (i.e., Rabbit) If you read the February and March 2010 Spectator President’s Message, you might remember that I discussed the Lunar calendar, Year of the Tiger, and play on words with year of the “Triple T”.
Some insight on the features of people born in the Year of the Rabbit: they are compassionate, creative and sensitive. They also keep to themselves and avoid friction. Rabbits are social and peaceful. They like to build strong relationships with friends and family. Rabbits are quick and intelligent and are able to PHIL LEM negotiate themselves out of predicaments. The rabbit is a symbol of mercy (compassion) and elegance. Disclaimer: This is general information, so please don’t hold me to this. There are many other factors that reinforce some of these traits, including the time they are born (hour, minute and seconds). I love the “play-on words”, and there are already many I can come up with for the year of the “R” (Rabbit). Here are some, including carryovers from the Year of the Tiger, 2011: “Return of the Tiger, Revitalizing Toyota, Joe Robb (the waffle man), Russell Williams (sorry to bring this up), Raptors (remember them), Royal Ontario Golf Club (June SPE Golf tournament – had to put this in), Revolution in Egypt, Resignation of Mubarak and Resin Pricing (again),” to name just a few. I’ll give you a recap later in the year and see what has transpired.
As of February 3, 2011, it’s now the Year of the Rabbit. We transition from a roaring and dynamic roller coaster year to a calmer environment. However, the preload carried over from 2010 to 2011 will result with some uncertainties. It is also a Wood Rabbit in a Metal Year. Globally and economically, there will be different opportunities and threats to watch out for.
Have a peaceful and prosperous Year of the Rabbit! Speaking of resin pricing, I extracted the following from Plastics News, written by Frank Esposito. I hope you find it informative if you missed it the first time around.
The Rabbit is the fourth animal in the lunar calendar after the Rat, Ox and Tiger. Two of my colleagues already have children in this first month of the lunar calendar.
continued on page 4
EVOPRENE® THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS FLEXIBLE PVC AND TPR COMPOUNDS
AlphaGary Market Leadership in Specialty Compounds
ISO 9001 REGISTERED UK • CANADA • US
March 2011
3
ARIFF WAKANI PRESIDENT
TEL (905) 662 5735 xt 5007 FAX (905) 662 1683 [email protected]
Ontario Spectator
MARCH 2011 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Resin Pricing – Commodity Thermoplastics
SPE Honored Service Member, HSM
For February 07, 2011 P indicates a price increase for that material is pending.
Prices are in U.S. cents per pound for prime resin, unfilled, natural color, FOB supplier, unless otherwise indicated. Prices are generated from interviews with North American buyers and suppliers. The information provided is based on sources believed to be reliable but its accuracy or timeliness is not guaranteed and no warranties of any kind are provided.Plastics News does not intend to specify the price of the materials listed. For price quotes on specific materials, contact the supplier.
SPE’s HSM distinction is meant to honour those volunteers within the Society who have shown outstanding long-term leadership service to SPE. Points are assigned based on “regular” service categories, such as Section or Division board membership, officer positions, et cetera. Different positions are weighted to recognize the different time and effort commitments of service. These weights give higher levels of commitment and responsibility more points than positions of lesser responsibility. For example, serving as a board member is weighted less than service as a board president. In addition, the committee is allowed to add discretionary points (up to 20% of the total pre-discretionary points) for achievement as outlined in the application. For example, if someone has founded a new Division, started a new and successful conference, instituted a scholarship program, done special fundraising, or had achievements/ contributions at the Society level for SPE or The SPE Foundation, there’s an opportunity within the point system for the HSM Election Committee to award additional points for those contributions. The HSM Point Scoring Worksheet (on the SPE website) will help you evaluate how likely it is that your candidate will be approved. Note: all figures are raw scores before discretionary points are assigned. Very likely > 60 points Likely 45-60 points Unlikely < 45 points In our section, S28, Ontario Section, I’d like to recognize the six individuals who have achieved this distinction over the many years of voluntary service. Two of them are still on the board, as our Councillor and Director. In alphabetical order they are: Dennis Bayley, Russell Broome, Michael Newman, Ralph Nunnaro, John Perdikoulias and Paul Waller. On behalf of the 2010-11 SPE Board of Directors, I’d like to thank them for their work and for helping create the foundation for us.
Ontario Spectator
March 2011
4
WE BUY AND PROCESS PE, PVC, PP, HIPS, PET, ABS, PC REGRIND, REPRO AND VIRGIN We supply recycled and virgin Engg. and commodity resins
Tel: (905) 273-7400 • Fax: (905) 273-6700 www.kaltrading.com • [email protected]
Monthly Newsletters Available Via Internet The current month’s newsletter can be viewed and printed during the first week of the month by going to www.4spe.org and selecting Technical Groups. Use the Browse by Location tool to select Ontario or http://speontario.com/. Alternatively, you can go directly to http://www.4spe.org/technical-groups/sections/ontario
