Composite Technologies Co. LLC, known for compression molding pallets from recycled and wide-spec virgin resin, has purchased its first injection molding machine — a used Milacron press with 3,000 tons of clamping force.
The Milacron machine started production in August in CTC's factory in Dayton, Ohio, where it joins nine large vertical compression molding presses.
The large-platen Milacron, with a shot size of 414 ounces, came from a former Collins & Aikman Corp. automotive plant, said Jay Binder, CTC's president and chief operating officer.
Binder said the injection press is not molding an automotive application, but he declined to say what type of parts it is turning out, citing customer confidentiality.
``This is a `planned' departure from our normal processing technology, but opens an enormous number of avenues to expand our core capabilities,'' Binder said.
CTC specializes in reducing part costs by using lower-priced material. The company produces a pallet priced under $10, a landmark price point for a plastic pallet.
Binder said CTC has two in-house extrusion pelletizing lines that make its own resin, including proprietary blends of recycled materials. Last year, the company added its second pelletizing line with an HPM extruder. HPM also put a new screw and barrel on the original pelletizing line.
Besides pallets, CTC also makes plastic components for several industrial and consumer markets, such as recreation and sporting goods, lawn and garden equipment, battery tray covers and lids for large waste receptacles.
Binder said company officials are confident their strategy of low-cost blended resins and low processing costs will attract more customers.
``CTC has not stopped expanding, even in the current uncertain economics,'' he said.