Extrusion Asia Edition 1-2023

➠ Adsale Exhibition Services Ltd. www.ChinaplasOnline.com 塑料行业正不遗余力地加强创 新，以实现循环经济，达致可 持续性发展 Plastics industry now spares no effort to intensify innova- tions towards a circular economy for sustainability development 27 Extrusion Asia Edition 1/2023 测阴性结果，不再需要申请健康码和集 中隔离，可放行进入社会面。中国将完 善海外旅客的签证安排及逐步恢复国际 航班。将于4月份在深圳举办的“CHI- NAPLAS 2023 国际橡塑展”蓄势待发， 做好了准备迎接阔别3年的海外观众， 火力全开推出具创新性的橡塑解决方案 及行业信息。 G reen, Smart, Advance are the 3 key- words for most of the industries nowadays, including but not limited to plastics and rubber industries. Green is the commitment for circular economy and sustainability. Smart can inspire inno- vations and enhance user experience. Ad- vance is the powerful tool for improving productivity and quality. At CHINAPLAS 2023, to take place from April 17-20, 2023 in Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center (SWECC) visitors will immerse in these 3 hot technologies under one roof, helping inspire new ideas and explore new opportunities. Intensifies Innovations Towards a Circular Economy There is no denying that plastics con- sumption – especially for single-use pla- stics – has created a huge challenge to our environment. Plastics industry now spares no effort to intensify innovations towards a circular economy for sustaina- bility development. The plastics industry has long been apply- ing the linear model, or “take-make-dis- pose” approach. Circular economy concept aims to reduce the amount of plastic waste generated by applying a “closed loop” system, redesigning how plastic products are taken, made, used and reused to alleviate the plastic waste problem. One of the main thrusts of circular eco- nomy is the increased rate of recycling. Post-industrial waste and post-consumer waste need to undergo recycling in order for them to be re-used. Recycling tech- nologies have seen tremendous improve- ments in terms of speed, efficiency and cost-saving advantages. Under the theme "A Brighter and Shared Future, Powered by Innovation", CHINA- PLAS will provide visitors with a whole spectrum of sustainable solutions in 3 theme zones, including Recycled Plastics Zone, Bioplastics Zone, and Recycling Technology Zone. With over 14,000 sqm, 200+ machine makers and materials pro- viders are to showcase latest environ- mentally-friendly plastic materials and processing technologies. Plastics and Rubber Industries Go Smart Industry 4.0, has created a remarkable impact on the production of a huge range of products. Plastics industry, yet having a history of 160 years, also goes smart with cutting-edge technologies for greater efficiency and cost reduction in the era of Industry 4.0. Through digitalization, manufacturing systems for plastics industry have become much more intelligent. The adoption of smart manufacturing process in all aspects of production – from product de- sign, actual production, supply chain, dis- tribution and sales, and delivery – has made it possible for companies to with- stand current and future challenges. Digitalization has been increasingly ap- plied particularly in plastics production processes. There is growing need for ad- vanced machinery and auxiliary equip- ment, sensors, process control software and other products to transform a plastics production facility into a smart manufac- turing plant. In the rising trend of digitalization among plastics and rubber industries, CHINA- PLAS will bring together almost 330 so- lution providers around the world in Injection Molding and Smart Manufactur- ing Solutions Zone with over 60,000 sqm. Plenty of leading suppliers are about to showcase full array of smart manufacturing solutions and ma- chines at the theme zone, to facilitate the adoption of smart solutions and techno- logies and achieve the targets of digital manufacturing transformation. Automation and 3D Printing are the two key enablers for technology advance- ment. Despite the perception that robots will take the jobs of humans, automation in the plastics industry is not a zero-sum game to decide between an all-human workforce or an all-automated one. A number of plastics processes can apply automation. Investing in automation would be a means to do more with the equipment plastics manufacturers cur- rently have. In the medical devices indus- try, for example, manufacturer may use automated process to insert plastic parts into a medical component, and measure the cavity pressure to ensure the parts are properly insert. 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, market has seen a tremendous growth and innovation since it is first invented in the early 1980s. After the expiration of a key patent in 2009, allowing many tech- nology companies to offer low-cost con- sumer-level 3D printers, 3D printing is no longer a niche technology. The global 3D printing plastics market reached USD 786.9 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 23.9% from 2022 to 2030. Personalization products develop- ment and government incentives, coupl- ed with the rising demand from the end-user industries such as automotive, medical, and aerospace, shall boost the market to expand further over the com- ing years. China Relaxes Travel Restriction from 8 Jan 2023 Three years after the border control, China relaxed travel restriction. Overseas travelers will only have to show a nega- tive nucleic acid test result obtained wit- hin 48 hours and will no longer need to apply health code and quarantine upon arrival, and can enter society directly. China will improve visa arrangements for foreigners and resume the international flights gradually. CHINAPLAS 2023 wel- comes the relaxation of border controls and is ready to receive international visi- tors in Shenzhen.