Kickstart: On Comet, on Cupid, on Donner and Goodyear

While Santa's reindeer rest up to prepare for their big around-the-world trip on Christmas Eve, St. Nick took advantage of other aerial transportation to collect toys to hand out to children during the holidays, courtesy of tire maker Goodyear.

The Akron, Ohio-based company is the corporate sponsor of the U.S. Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program, and as an incentive to give, Goodyear opened hangars for its iconic blimps in Ohio, Florida and California as a drop-off location for toy donations.

Andrew Schunk from our sister paper Rubber News hung out at the home of the 246-foot Wingfoot One blimp as individuals, companies and schools visited to see the blimp and give out some toys.

Canon Inc. is about to make a serious investment into medical device molding in the U.S.

The Tokyo-based parent company of contract manufacturer and mold maker Canon Virginia Inc. of Newport News, Va., announced Nov. 27 that it "has decided to establish a new subsidiary, to be named Canon Healthcare USA Inc.," to accelerate its medical business.

It will headquarter the business near Cleveland and spend $300 million during the next few years to support its growth into making diagnostic equipment such as CT, MRI and ultrasound systems as well as key medical components for health care technology and in vitro diagnostics.

Canon introduced its first medical product, a carotid stenotic scan used to help prevent strokes, in 2018.

The new subsidiary is part of a "grand strategic transformation."

"One of the most pressing challenges for Canon's medical business has been the need to strengthen its presence in the American medical industry, which is extremely influential on the global market," it said in a news release.

Canon did not specify how much it will focus on plastics within the new business unit, but Canon Virginia Inc. produces molds and parts for a range of end markets, including medical. Its tooling business was No. 52 in the most recent Plastics News ranking of North American toolmakers.

Two of the biggest makers of composite decking — using a combination of waste wood material and plastic film — are increasing their efforts to source post-consumer polyethylene film to turn into decks.

Trex Co. Inc. has been in the forefront of consumer collection programs, working with retail shops and schools for film drives. Now it is emphasizing its NexTrex recycling programs close to its operations. Its Fernley, Nev., manufacturing plant — which opened in 2020 — has opened a film recycling drop-off site. And in Little Rock, Ark., where it is building its third manufacturing plant, it has published details about its recycling operations and encouraged residents to participate at existing store drop-off locations.

Meanwhile competitor Azek Co. has partnered with clothing consignment website threadUP to collect, transport and recycle PE "clean out" bags that its users fill with items they want to sell. PN's Catherine Kavanaugh has more on that program here.