We traveled to Xibo, Shanghai, and Dongguang and selected a plastic compounding partner with Keya (now part of Coperion) twin screw extruders to manufacture the PVC compound. This partner also had an extensive laboratory for material property testing.
Local sourcing for raw materials was identified including: "plastic" PVC resin, Acrylic Impact Modifier, Acrylic Processing Aid, Tin stabilizer, Acrylic Lubricating Aid, Calcium Stearate, Paraffin Wax and EBS Wax. Chinese plastic additives were quality products at a much lower cost. Guidance and technical support was also provided for molding various types of housings.
Chinese workers and engineers were instructed on manufacturing this proprietary compound, molding plastic test samples, and conducting mechanical and thermal tests.
We drove the effort to pursue Underwriter Laboratories 94-V0 flame retardance approval in China. The team also instructed the client on product positioning versus other UL94-V0 plastic materials used for equipment housings.
Chinese Plastic additives: low cost and high quality
The client was provided the expertise to manufacture a specialty plastic as a replacement for molded housings of PC/ABS and UL94-V0 rated polycarbonate. The fire retardant, chemically resistant compound impacted profitability with its low cost and high margin. The "business" plans to expand with several injection molding compounds. Click to learn more about Primary Impact's plastic industry practice.
