Polymers in Sport and Leisure

References and Abstracts
USA
Accession no.633414
Item 280
Plastics and Rubber Asia
12, No.70, April 1997, p.46
OIMA TARGETS SPORTS GOODS
The formation of injection moulding machine
manufacturer Oima in 1976 is reported to have originated
from the idea of producing a machine to mould ski boot
shells. This business developed so successfully that the
company has supplied 90% of the machines in Italy that
are used for ski boot production in an industry
established in the town of Montebelluna, near to the
Oima factory. Montebelluna is recognised as the
European centre for moulding of ski boot shells in
thermoplastic PU on Oima’s Lotus range of vertical,
clamp injection machines. Current output of Lotus
usually totals around 15,20 machines a year; the
company believes that a big market for the machines is
likely to develop in Asia. The company expects much
of the global demand for sports goods, such as ski boots,
moulded ice hockey boots and roller blade footwear, to
move to Asia and it is keen to obtain as much of the
investment in new machinery as possible for the Lotus
series, which is capable of the two-colour production
that this fashion conscious market demands. As a result,
Oima is looking for a local partner, either in China or
Japan, to help it establish a strong presence in an industry
that has the potential for 100 machines a year. Details
are given.
OIMA SPA
CHINA; EUROPEAN COMMUNITY; EUROPEAN UNION;
ITALY; JAPAN; WESTERN EUROPE
Accession no.631969
Item 281
Plastics Progress
7, No.2, Fall 1996, p.6-7
FOAM PRODUCT LINE HAS WIDE VARIETY
OF END USES
Dylite expandable PS (EPS) and Arcel expandable
ethylene-styrene copolymer are reported to comprise the
foam product line that Nova Chemicals has acquired from
Arco Chemical. These two materials have broad utility
and are used extensively in a spectrum of applications.
Dylite EPS is used in foam beverage cups, protective
packaging of many consumer goods, and insulation and
flotation applications. The cost-effective materials offers
excellent impact and thermal performance. Tough yet
flexible Arcel foam is used for reusable packaging,
helmets, jet skis and ‘boogie boards’ - applications where
durability is a key requirement. Details are given.
NOVA CHEMICALS; ARCO CHEMICAL CO.
USA
Accession no.630715
Item 282
Modern Tire Dealer
78, No.2, Feb.1997, p.16/20
WAVING THE FLAGSHIP MANUFACTURERS
SALUTE THEIR HIGH PERFORMANCE TYRES
Ulrich R
A flagship brand is said to seldom make much of an impact
in a tyre manufacturer’s overall sales. It is often the
company’s high profile, ultra-high performance niche tyre.
Nonetheless, the flagship brand sends a positive message
to the tyre-buying public about every tyre in the line, from
premium to entry level. During February 1997, Goodyear
is drawing attention to its new flagship brand. The Eagle
F-1, for Formula One, high performance tyre line is said to
signify the pinnacle of Goodyear high performance equity.
Yokohama Tire, another domestic tyre marketer with
significant high performance market share, introduced its
AVS S1 during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week in
Las Vegas in 1996. It will be available to independent
dealers next month. Both introductions follow on the heels
of similar announcements from Michelin; details are given.
GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO.; YOKOHAMA
TIRE CORP.; MICHELIN GROUP
USA
Accession no.630711
Item 283
Reinforced Plastics
41, No.4, April 1997, p.28
RTM FORMS CARBON FIBRE BICYCLE
FRAMES
Diamond Back Racing is using carbon fibre technology
to produce frames for its Vertex mountain bikes. The frame
features carbon fibre tubes, manufactured by resin transfer
moulding, which are assembled using TIG-welding
technology. Liquid Control’s Compact Multiflow RTM
machine is used to meter and mix an epoxy resin and
hardener. The mixed epoxy is injected into the mould at
very precise process conditions including temperature,
pressure and flow rate.
LIQUID CONTROL CORP.
USA
Accession no.630314
Item 284
Modern Plastics International
27, No.3, March 1997, p.56-9
HIGH-PERFORMANCE MARKETS DRIVE TPU
INNOVATION, GROWTH
O’Neill M
Thermoplastic urethanes bridge the gap between rigid
plastics and elastomers, and range from hard and stiff to soft
and flexible. Dureflex 7018 greenhouse film from Bayer
has a lifetime of some 10 years and has 95% light
transmittance. Breathability of TPU films is exploited in
hospital bed coverings, to allow perspiration to disperse and
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