Trexel, Inc. - MuCell In The News

Ferromatik Milacron Licenses Trexel's MuCell® Microcellular Foam Process For Injection Molding Machinery

Leader in Injection Molding Applications to Equip New and Existing Equipment with Trexel's MuCell® Process Technology

September 21, 1999 - Woburn, MA - Trexel, Inc. announced today that Ferromatik Milacron has entered into a licensing agreement to supply injection molding equipment utilizing Trexel's proprietary MuCell® microcellular foam processing technology. Ferromatik is a provider of innovative injection molding technologies for multi-component and special purpose applications, with specific expertise in high-speed, high-performance and thin-wall packaging. Trexel is the worldwide leader in the development and commercialization of microcellular foam processing technologies.

Under the agreement, Ferromatik is licensed to sell new MuCell-capable injection molding machines, or retrofit the MuCell process to existing Ferromatik and non-Ferromatik equipment. Injection molders can purchase machines directly from Ferromatik while taking an end-user license for the technology from Trexel. The agreement covers all of Milacron's horizontal injection molding equipment worldwide, including Ferromatik, Autojectors, Roboshot and Ohio-built machines.

"As innovators of new technologies for injection molding applications, we are well aware of the many processing improvements that MuCell offers," stated Hermann Plank, Sales and Marketing Director for Ferromatik. "We are pleased to apply our equipment design expertise towards the integration of MuCell technology in order to afford our customers the many new processing options associated with a MuCell-Ferromatik solution."

According to David Bernstein, Trexel President and CEO, "This partnership will expand the use of MuCell microcellular foam process technology, and will increase our customers' access to the technology in both Europe and North America."

Proven, Breakthrough Technology

The MuCell® technology - which is suitable for a wide range of injection molded products - provides molders with unique opportunities to reduce product costs while enhancing product design and processing. Using inexpensive, environmentally friendly supercritical fluids (SCFs) of atmospheric gases (CO₂ or N₂) as blowing agents, the MuCell microcellular foam process produces evenly distributed and uniformly sized microscopic cells (generally 5-50 microns in diameter). In addition to reducing part weight, the MuCell process can eliminate stress and warpage, as well as sink marks, while either reducing or eliminating hold time. The technology permits product designers to specify lightweight, polymer-saving foam materials for products in which conventionally foamed materials would be unacceptable.

The MuCell microcellular foam process offers many attractive processing improvements, including sizable cost savings. Because of the lowered melt viscosity, the fill pressure can be reduced at least 50% and the clamp tonnage can be reduced at least 40%. The MuCell process can result in faster cycle time due to the reduction of melt temperature, improved mold filling, and the reduction in, or elimination of hold time.

Equipment Availability

According to the license agreement, Milacron will offer machines for a full range of applications, from 90 to 4000 tons, plus a MuCell process retrofit kit for equipment in the field. Milacron will supply Trexel with a 400-ton machine later this year.

Trexel, which currently operates commercial-scale equipment in its laboratory, offers engineering support, training and other services to end-users. Patents pending and issued in the United States, Canada, Europe and several Asian countries cover Trexel's MuCell microcellular foam process and equipment.

For more information about Trexel, please contact Dan Szczurko, Trexel Vice President of Business Development, at 781 932-0202 ext. 241 (fax 781 932-3324) or dan@trexel.com, or visit the company Web site at www.trexel.com.

In Europe, direct Ferromatik inquiries to: Ferromatik Milacron Maschinenbau GmbH Riegelerstr.4, 79364 Malterdingen Germany, tel. +49-7644-78-0, fax +49-7644-78-233, fm_sales@ferromatik.com.

In the U.S., direct Ferromatik inquiries to: Robert Hare, General Manager Integrated Processing Systems Business, at 513-841-8043.

In the U.S., direct Milacron inquiries to: 1-888-MILACRON (645-2276), fax 1-800-282-8082, or visit Milacron's home page at www.milacron.com.

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