November 2007
Plastic & Rubber Weekly
Tim Tunbridge 0208 277 5505
Disappointing results from trials carried out in Poland persuaded Isle of Wight inventor Paul Bone to switch to UK companies for production of his Flow Control Fuel Can. The novel can incorporates a patented flow control mechanism that allows users to regulate the flow of fuel from a trickle to its maximum. This empties the 5-litre can in 15 seconds with minimal spillage and emissions as there is no ‘glug-glug’ effect.
To find suitable UK suppliers Delta-Energy LLC has launched a carbon blackbased product recovered from tyre shred that can be used as an alternative to virgin carbon black in rubber and plastic compounds. The Pennsylvania, US based, firm has been test marketing the product line for the past two years and reports good industry reception. The company adds that the commercial introduction of two D-E Black products marks a significant milestone for it. But it adds, the rubber industry will also benefit as it supports demand for manufactured goods with recycled content. Phoenix Black can be used in rubber reinforcement while Zephyr Black is used for plastic and coatings pigmentation. Delta-Energy vice president product management, Bill Cole, said: “Phoenix Black’s reinforcing properties are comparable to virgin carbon black’s. “Rubber compounders can supplement the use of virgin carbon black with Phoenix Black at a lower cost while maintaining comparable product properties. This reduces users’ rates an integrated spout and the two handles make for easy handling.
There are 31 parts in total. The blow mouldings are in moulded parts of the can are being produced by Ramsgate-based Flambeau Europlast, the injection moulded components by BM Injection in Whitchurch, British Legion Industries in Aylesford, Kent. The cans have a green handle for unleaded fuel, a black handle for diesel and a red handle for two-stroke fuel. The design incorpocarbon footprint and meets customer requests for recycled manufacturing material content. “Phoenix Black’s value proposition fits well with the philosophy of green manufacturing programmes recently announced by several rubber companies. Zephyr Black finds a ready home in the plastics industry which has even more experience in recycling materials.” Delta-Energy says its Phoenix Black E900 exhibits the low reinforcement properties of N990, but has tensile and hot tear properties of furnace carbon blacks. This has the potential of reducing mould tear, which would improve yields.
Flambeau Europlast says it has completed its trials and is due to mould the first batch of 10,000 cans in the near future. Cans are being targeted at the marine, automotive, industrial plant and horticultural markets. A 10-litre can is under development.
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