Cost cutting versus product innovation with polymer coating
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Posted On :
Apr-17-2009
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Article Word Count :
432
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Current market situation puts high pressure on prices of commodity products. Standardised plastic compounds and products mainly discriminate on price, creating the awareness and the need of customised, less price sensitive compound solutions. Cost cutting is the first logical step trying to keep the business profitable.
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Current market situation puts high pressure on prices of commodity products. Standardised plastic compounds and products mainly discriminate on price, creating the awareness and the need of customised, less price sensitive compound solutions. Cost cutting is the first logical step trying to keep the business profitable.
However, the strategic decision to invest in product innovations and/or tailor made modifications will offer new business opportunities. Take for example polystyrene: its applicability is limited for microwave and hot fill food applications because of its limited thermal performance. Nowadays mainly PP is used for this application, despite the superior processing, thermoforming and application performance of PS over PP. A recent development enables the applicability of PS in microwave applications, keeping the benefits of polystyrene.
Despite the extreme price competitive and low margin market conditions in the food packaging market, several companies are investing in this new PS solution, because the total cost of ownership will bring benefits for the improved PS for both supplier and end-user. Even for (low margin) commodity products, investing in customised solutions or opportunities to expand the functionality of an existing commodity polymer offers new profitable sales potential on the longer term.
Ofcourse the short term cost cutting need is understandable and for some companies a must. However, being prepared for the future with new product will also be an important asset. And like for the above mentioned example, the investments and time-to-market can be defined within reasonable limits.
Companies like Polyscope offer products which enable various opportunities to extend the functionality and applicability of (commodity) plastics.
Polyscope Polymers manufactures XIRAN® Styrene Maleic Anhydride (SMA) co-polymers. Highly versatile XIRAN® SMA provides a significantly better alternative for users of existing SMA products and provides new opportunities for manufacturers who currently use other materials.
Xiran® SMA and PC/ABS new generation grades are the best-in-class materials for Automotive interior applications. Xiran® engineering resins are designed for foamed Instrument Panels, Center Consoles, Defrosting Grilles, Center stacks, Structural brackets and painted interior parts which have to endure severe mechanical, thermal and safety tests.
Xiran® glass reinforced SG-grades (based on SMA, ABS resins) are a unique product range which combines high rigidity, excellent heat resistance and chemical adhesion with ductility and impact behaviour needed for critical dynamic loads, like in soft-feel instrument panels with integrated airbag functionality. Its capability to be moulded with very tight tolerances makes Xiran® the ideal material for complex and precise parts.
Styrene Maleic Anhydride copolymers, produced under the brand name Xiran® are for many years used in paper coatings, mostly in paper sizing applications.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Cost cutting versus product innovation with polymer coating_354.aspx
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Author Resource :
Danny Wiersma
Read more about polymer coatings and ABS plastics.
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Keywords :
ABS plastics, plastics, polymer coating, polymer coatings, product innovation, cost cutting,
Category :
Business
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Business
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