i want to know the chemical process of making polypopylene foam and
also give me the list of plant and mchihinery manufacurer for sheet of
polypropylene foam.please also give me name of thermoforming machine
manufacturer for trays,plates,cups out of polypropylene foam sheet in
europe and asia region. thanks.

---

Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 29 Feb 2004 20:26 PST

Are you looking for a precise, step-by-step formulation process, or a
general overview of how to make it?  The former might not be easily
accessible.

jbf777

---

Clarification of Question by where4-ga on 29 Feb 2004 21:09 PST

thanks.a general overview will be enough.

---

Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 02 Mar 2004 11:14 PST

Just want to make sure I understand your question fully:

>i want to know the chemical process of making polypopylene foam 

Got it.

>also give me the list of plant and mchihinery manufacurer for sheet of
>polypropylene foam.

Not sure of what you mean by "plant?"  Are you looking for companies
that make sheets of foam, or companies that make machines for you to
make the sheets of foam?  Can they be in the US?

---

Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 02 Mar 2004 13:54 PST

Is this what you're looking for?

1) A handful of companies in Europe or Asia that
manufacture polypropylene sheets.

2) A handful of companies in Europe or Asia that
manufacture machinery for making polypropylene sheets.

3) A handful of companies in Europe or Asia that
manufacturer thermoforming equipment for polypropylene
foam.

---

Request for Question Clarification by jbf777-ga on 02 Mar 2004 21:54 PST

You can disregard those requests.  I think I found the info you're looking for.

Hello -

Important note: If you choose to rate this answer, please feel free to
ask for any additional clarification you may require prior to doing
so.  Thanks for your understanding.

I have indeed found some sources that delineate very specific
processes for making both polypropylene (PP) foam and sheets.  The
information is contained in the following patents, which can be seen
at the USPTO website:

Patent #4,424,293
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F4424293
This invention relates to a method of producing a crosslinked
polypropylene foam having a good thermoformability and a high
elongation.

Patent #5,180,751 
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5180751
"This invention relates to polypropylene foam sheets and a process for
their manufacture. Specifically, this invention relates to
polypropylene foam sheets which are rigid or semi-rigid and
thermoformable into shaped articles for use in packaging and service
applications."


These patents are a little older, but are referenced by the above ones:

Patent #3,637,458 
Microcellular Foam Sheet
http://patimg2.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=03637458&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect2%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252Fsearch-bool.html%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526d%3DPALL%2526S1%3D3637458.WKU.%2526OS%3DPN%2F3637458%2526RS%3DPN%2F3637458&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=7CECDB8C0C90

Process for preparing molded polyolefin foam
Patent #3,819,784
http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect2=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&d=PALL&RefSrch=yes&Query=PN%2F5180751
"This invention relates to polypropylene foam sheets and a pr


--

Here is an article on thermoforming polypropylene:
http://www.foamandform.com/minutes/polypropylene.php

Another general overview on PP
http://www.bpf.co.uk/bpfindustry/plastics_materials_polypropylene_PP.cfm


===

Machinery for making PP sheets:

SK Extruder (Korea)
http://www.sk-extruder.co.kr/16-page.htm

Twist Engineering (India)
http://www.ask4plastic.com/viewdeta.asp?memid=528&member=True

SSMech (India)
http://www.ssmech.com/profile.asp

Kollite Industries (India)
http://www.indiamart.com/kolliteindustries/

Omipa (Italy)
http://www.omipa.it/omipa/sheet_1_13.htm

Ghioldi (Italy)
http://www.ghioldi.it/english/english.htm



More potentially here:

Yahoo Small Business Directory
http://dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Business_to_Business/Industrial_Supplies/Materials/Plastics/Manufacturing/Fabrication/Machinery/

Jobwerx
http://www.jobwerx.com/resources/Plastic_Extrusion_Machines.html


PP Sheets
---------
These companies sell PP sheets for use in thermoforming:

NPC - Taiwan
http://www.npc.com.tw/english/pl3-e/product/packing/pp/pp.htm
http://www.npc.com.tw/english/e-index.htm

Conservation by Design
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk/ringbind/ringbind11.html

Item Plastic - Taiwan
http://www.itemplast.com.tw/

Vink - Netherlands, Denmark
http://www.vink.com/Default.asp?ID=7494

Bay Plastics
http://www.bayplastics.co.uk/Product%20Materials/prod-altuglas-PP+.htm

Corpac
http://www.corpacind.com/

Conservation by Design
http://www.conservation-by-design.co.uk

Dozens more at Kellysearch
http://www.kellysearch.com/qz-product-70019.html

===

The following companies manufacture thermoforming machines, and
specifically mention their ability to work with PP:

Geiss (Germany)
http://www.geiss-ttt.com/www_geiss/products_138_93_0_f.htm
http://www.geiss-ttt.com/www_geiss/tt-in-one-series_150_105_0_f.htm
Ideal for all thermoplastics (irrespective of material thickness). 
Over the last years, the GEISS Thermoforming machines have set a new
standard for plastics processing worldwide. Our T series is regarded
worldwide as a high tech solution in plastics processing ? as well as
the U series for smaller dimensions.  The TT-in-one series is a unique
system which combines vacuum forming machine, feeder and CNC equipment
into a single unit. This fully automatic plant gives users a decisive
edge over competitors:

Kuanghsing (Taiwan)
http://www.kuanghsing.com.tw/02-26875119.dir/set1.htm
Kuang Hsing successfully developed automatic pressure thermoforming
machine with trim-puncher which is a multifunctional stand-alone
machine, handling material feeding, heating, forming, punching,
cutting, stacking, counting, and output. Besides general kind of
containers, this machine is suitable for making difficult deep-cups or
strawberry boxes. Feeding materials include PP, PS, PET, PE, PVC, and
OPS, and the forming recycle 10~40 molds can be formed per minute.

Termostampi (Italy)
http://www.termostampi.it/
Manufacturer of thermoforming tools for food containers and cups made
from polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), PVC, and PET. Also
manufactures molds from small, single row tools to as many as 104
cavities.

Kuhne (Germany)
Kuhne Einsteinstrasse 20, 53757 Sankt Augustin, Germany
Tel: +49 224 19020, Fax: +49 224 1902180 
Thermoformer integrated with sheet line: Kuhne's polypropylene sheet
line [Stand 15 A41] includes an integrated thermoformer for the
production of polypropylene cups. The extruder can handle high impact
polystyrene as well as polypropylene. The line includes a melt pump,
flex lip sheet die, and a 900 mm wide roll stack for cooling and
polishing the sheet.

Rajoo (India)
http://www.rajoo.com/
Rajoo has launched the first indigenously developed Thermoformer for
PP Sheet. Christened Dispocon RETF 6530, equipped with a pre-heater
and sandwich heating through energy efficient infra-red ceramic
heaters, the mould movement is through hydraulic power pack to
generate the high force required by PP Sheets.


--

The rep from Geiss tells me that most thermoformers will work with
Polypropylene (or "that's what the manufacturers will tell you") -- so
here are some more that are potentially worth investigating:

ATEM (Italy)
http://www.atemitalia.it/
Designer and manufacturer of thermoforming machines for thermoplastic
materials (plates of coils) and accessories machines for plastic
materials working.

COMI (Italy)
http://www.comi-srl.it/
Manufacturer of thermoforming machines including single station,
monoline and in-line machines, and laser-cutting systems for steel
dies.

Fratelli Bianchi
http://www.fratellibianchi.com/
Company designing and manufacturing thermoplastic injection molds.

MAAC Machinery
http://www.maacmachinery.com/
Manufacturer of thermoforming machinery. Products are sold to multiple
industries. This company was capitalized by private investment.

Rigo Group (Italy)
http://www.rigogroup.it/
Manufacturer of molds and thermoforming machines.

Meaf (Netherlands)
http://www.meaf.nl/meaf/thermoforming.html

Thermoforming Machines (India)
http://trade.indiamart.com/offer/plastic/plastic-processing-machinery/

Europack Machines (India)
http://www.europackmachines.com/Contact.htm

Vacuum forming seems to be either the same or similar process to
thermoforming.  Here are thirty-two suppliers for vacuum forming in
the UK:

Vacuum Forming Polypropylene (PP) 
http://www.kellysearch.com/qz-product-99397.html
0_f.htm?query=

Another thermoforming Directory at Jayde:
http://dir.jayde.com/72351.html

--


Select Search strategy:
pp OR polypropylene sheet "extrusion machinery"
pp OR polypropylene thermoforming


Additional Link:
PMA Buyers Guide (will be available soon)
http://www.pma-magazine.com/buyersguide/PA09_BuyersGuide.pdf

---

Request for Answer Clarification by where4-ga on 03 Mar 2004 07:22 PST

hello- in my question i have clearly menioned machinery maufacturer
for ploypropylene foam sheet and thermoforming machine manufacturer
for trays,plates,cups out of polypropylene foam sheet. the answer you
have given is for polypropylene sheet,not for polypropylene foam
sheet. these two are entirely different subject and answer does not
serve the purpose.please help me out. thanks

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 03 Mar 2004 09:41 PST

My apologies!  I will work to correct this, and check back here within
24 hours.  Thanks for your patience.

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 03 Mar 2004 10:38 PST

Hello -

Talked to a consultant and rep in the foam industry (who sells
machinery to mold PP foam).  When I mentioned that I was seeking
companies that produce thermoforming equipment for cups/trays/plates,
he said he has really never heard of that, because (and you might
already know this), those things are ordinarily made out of
polystyrene (it's much less expensive).  I'm still researching, of
course, but just thought I'd pass that on.

jbf

---

Request for Answer Clarification by where4-ga on 03 Mar 2004 12:51 PST

thanks. this is quite a new devlopment since a year or so.
trays,cups,dishes made out of polysterene foam(EPS) are there in the
market since last 15 years.the articles made out of polypropylene
foam(epp) are better in quality and are economical also.

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 04 Mar 2004 08:02 PST

I've got some manufacturers for the sheet equipment.  Still waiting on
the thermoforming.

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 04 Mar 2004 09:42 PST

Are you at all interested in thermoforming equipment from the US? 
I've found at least one in Michigan.  Another manufacturer in Germany
says they're a chief competitor.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by where4-ga on 04 Mar 2004 10:09 PST

thanks.some thing from US us may also be helpfull.please go ahed.

---

Clarification of Answer by jbf777-ga on 04 Mar 2004 13:16 PST

Hello -

For each of these companies, I have either verbal confirmation from a
representative or information from their respective websites on their
machine's capabilities to do what you're looking for.  Please feel
free to ask for any additonal clarification.


Extruder systems for producing PP foam sheets
=============================================

Reifenhauser (Germany)
http://www.reifenhauser.com
978 412-9700 (US contact)

E-Yeon (Korea)
http://www.e-yeon.com/epe.htm
This company provides PP foam sheet extrusion machinery, and may also
provide thermoforming equipment for PP foam.

SMS Folientechnik GmbH & Co. KG (Vienna)
Laxenburger Straße 246
A-1230 Vienna
Tel: +43 1 614 50 0
Fax:+43 1 614 50 7980
http://www.sms-k.com/SMS_Startframe/SFT_Startframe/SFT_Startframe.htm?/SMS_Startframe/SFT_Startframe/content/SFT-content-home.htm
Our portfolio covers everything from: simple line components to a full
turnkey installation including resin handling; multi-layer extrusion
system and reel handling, from mono-layer to nine-layer and above
extrusion systems; foamed sheet and insulation board.

YOUNG SANG INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD (Korea)
Jeon,   Sang   Yeol
# 436-1, Yeongcheon-dong, Wachon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongbuk, Korea.
Tel : 82-53-851-6661~6
Fax : 82-53-851-7373
Products : PE/PP Foam Sheet Line. EPS Production Line.
http://www.plasticskorea.co.kr/english/2003e_address_07.htm

Gloucester Engineering Co. Inc (USA)
http://www.sms-k.com/bge_Einstieg/bge_default.htmgineering 
978-282-9404 x Doug


?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


Thermoforming
=============

One rep has alluded to the possibility that many thermoforming
machines might be able to handle Polypropylene foam -- that it's not a
"special machine" requirement.  Nonetheless, I have confirmed with the
following companies, either from website or phone, their ability to
handle PP foam.

Kiefel (Germany)
http://www.kiefeltech.com/

Illig (Germany)
www.illig.de
 770-423-4223 / 781-923-1029
Shtefan 781-923-1029
781-325-2856
703-856-4112

Brown Machine (USA) (biggest competitor to Kiefel)
http://www.brown-machine.com/thermoforming-machinery.php?nic=custom-equipment
They're also able to get extruders for making PP foam sheet.
989-435-7741

Sencorp (USA)
http//www.sencorp-inc.com
508-274-2189 x Bob

Irwin (USA)
http://www.irwinresearch.com/
(509) 248-4760 


?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????


This company deals in used extruders and thermoformers:

http://www.plastimach.com


Additional Link:
 AMU Extrusion Lines (Italy) 
 http://www.amuextrusion.it/Inglese/news_september02.htm

Select Search Strategy:
 extruding OR extruder OR extrusion "polypropylene foam" OR "PP foam" sheet OR  
   sheets
 EPS foam sheet
 thermoforming OR tooling EPP OR PP OR Polypropylene
 thermoforming "PP foam"

thanks for the answer. from the answer what i gather is that subject
is on a developing stage and the required object is not available at
this stage.so atleast we reached for a conclusion.thanks again for
taking so much trouble for the answer.

My pleasure!  Thank you for the kind words, rating and tip!  Please stop by again.

jbf777