On October 7th 2025, 18 new members will be inducted into the Plastics Hall of Fame (“PHoF”) at a black tie gala event the evening before the commencement of the 2025 K Show in Dusseldorf, Germany. The 15 living and posthumous inductees joining the PHoF via the standard nominating process include: Dr. Erwin Bürkle of Krauss Maffei Technologies; Norm Fowler of Xerox; Yukio Iimura of Shibaura Machine; Bill Knight of Dow Chemical; Dr. Robert Langer of MIT; Matthew Naitove of Plastics Technology; Dr. Chul B. Caleb Park of the University of Toronto; Irene Schwarz of Engel; Charles Sewell of CKS Packaging; Bill Stavropoulos of Dow Chemical; Peter Steinbeck of Windmöller & Hölscher; William Young of Plastipak; and Helmut Bacher, Helmuth Schulz, and George Wendlin of Erema. Additionally, three historical pioneers are being inducted into the Hall: Dr. Otto Röhm and Otto Haas of Rohm & Haas; and Hans H. Wanders of National Industrial Chemical.

The PHoF is an international organization which celebrates the men and woman who have had leading roles in the advancement of plastics. In honor of PHoF inductee Arthur P. Haag (the inventor of Purgex), Neutrex Inc. is proud to support the organization and its mission to promote public awareness of the positive role plastics play in the modern world. Since accepting Arthur’s PHoF induction in 2024, Neutrex President John R. Haag has been pleased to serve the PHoF as a member of the Board of Directors and Nominations Committee, and as Vice Chair of the Historical Committee. John helped induct the three new PHoF members researched by the Historical Committee.

The PHoF is engaged in many worthwhile projects beyond celebrating its 252 members. The PHoF is also exploring the creation a university-based library focused on the history of plastics, providing educational scholarships to students studying plastics in college, and developing important stories highlighting the history of plastics. The most recently released story explains how the effort to replace ivory as the building material for billiard balls led to the early development of plastics. Numerous additional stories are under development. The PHoF appreciates all financial support, including dedicated donations for scholarships. If you are interested in helping to preserve the legacy of plastics, promoting the education of scholars in the field of plastics, or nominating worthy plastics pioneers to the Hall, please visit the PHoF at https://plasticshof.org/sponsors/ or contact John at john.haag@neutrex.com.

TLDR:

• Purge compounds prevent contamination in plastics processing equipment
• Reduce machine downtime and improve product consistency
• Support scheduled maintenance and reduce unexpected downtime
• Lower risk of human error during material changeovers
• Help manufacturers achieve long-term cost savings and productivity gains

In plastics manufacturing, contamination isn’t just a quality issue—it’s a profit killer. Material degradation, carbon buildup, and residual color or resin can bring an entire production line to a halt. Fortunately, a simple but powerful tool can prevent these problems before they start: the commercial purging compound.

Used correctly, purge compounds are a cornerstone of an effective preventive maintenance strategy. They help maintain plastics processing equipment, improve part consistency, and significantly reduce the risk of unexpected downtime.

The Hidden Cost of Contamination

Every time a machine is shut down to fix contamination issues, it’s not just materials that are wasted—it’s lost productivity. Whether it’s a blocked nozzle, color streaks from a previous run, or burnt polymer on the barrel, contamination creates production downtime that costs manufacturers both time and money.

Even with a scheduled maintenance plan in place, contamination-related failures are often caused by gaps in procedure or human error. That’s why incorporating purge compounds as part of a preventative maintenance plan is critical.

How Preventative Purging Works

Regular use of a purge compound during planned downtime or between production runs can remove, purge, or clean out lingering materials before they become a problem. This proactive approach helps:

• Prevent buildup of degraded resin or carbonized materials
• Minimize cross-contamination between colors and materials
• Extend the life of screws, barrels, and nozzles
• Ensure smoother startups, shutdowns, and changeovers
• Maintain uniform product quality across long runs

This purging process in molding isn’t just cleanup—it’s protection. Think of it as part of your overall preventive maintenance program, applied before problems escalate.

Building Purging into Your Maintenance Schedule

Incorporating purge compounds into a planned maintenance schedule is easier than most molders expect. Whether you’re working with injection molding, extrusion, or blow molding systems, a wide range of purge compounds is available to meet specific needs.

Add purging to your regular checklist during:

• Color or material changeovers
• End-of-run cleanouts
• Machine shutdowns for maintenance
• Extended idle periods
• Startup cycles to ensure a clean baseline

By tracking purging intervals as part of your downtime tracking, you can reduce the need for emergency cleanings and unplanned production stoppages.

Real-World Benefits of Preventive Purging

When purge compounds are part of your preventive maintenance system, the results are clear:

• Reduced downtime from contamination-related issues
• Fewer defective parts due to material streaks or specks
• Improved efficiency in manufacturing processes
• Predictable, reliable, planned downtime with measurable cost savings

These benefits are long-term. Over time, consistent purging translates into more uptime, fewer surprises, and better overall equipment condition.

The Bottom Line

Preventative purging isn’t just good practice—it’s essential for modern manufacturing. By using a purge compound as part of your preventative maintenance plan, you protect your equipment, boost productivity, and eliminate problems before they hit your bottom line.

Make purging a part of your standard preventive maintenance program and watch your machine downtime shrink—along with your costs.

Browse our purging products today!

TLDR:

• Purging compounds clean blown film extruders and die heads
• Reduce downtime during resin and color changeovers
• Improve film quality and minimize material waste
• Support consistent mechanical properties in multi-layered films
• Help optimize productivity in the packaging industry and beyond

In the fast-paced plastics industry, blown film manufacturers must strike a balance between speed, quality, and cost-efficiency. However, contamination, color streaks, and long changeover times can disrupt the manufacturing process, leading to excessive waste and costly downtime. That’s where a purging compound for blown film production becomes a game-changer.

Whether you’re producing food packaging, multi-layered films, or industrial film products, regular purging is essential to maintaining high efficiency and consistent product quality.

Challenges in the Blown Film Extrusion Process

The blown film extrusion process involves melting plastic resins—such as polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE, and LLDPE)—and forming a bubble through a circular die. As simple as it sounds, this process is highly sensitive to material contamination, especially during resin or color transitions.

Common issues include:

• Residual material left in the blown film extruder
• Buildup in the die head
• Streaks and specks in the film
• Inconsistent mechanical properties in high quality plastic films

These problems directly impact the properties of the film, particularly in the packaging industry, where clarity, thickness, and strength must meet strict standards.

How Purging Compounds Improve Efficiency

Using a purging compound in blown film production helps minimize these issues by thoroughly cleaning the screw, barrel, and circular die. Here’s how it supports a more efficient operation:

• Reduces downtime during resin and color changes
• Cuts material waste by preventing off-spec startup scrap
• Cleans the die head without disassembly
• Maintains consistent film quality and gauge control
• Extends the life of equipment and tooling

By integrating a regular purging process, manufacturers gain tighter control over their blown film extrusion lines, ultimately boosting productivity and reducing overall operating costs.

Compatible with a Wide Range of Applications

Modern purging compounds are engineered for compatibility with a wide range of plastic resins, including the common blends used in flat film and blown extrusion film applications. These compounds are also safe for use in hot runner systems, where gentle yet thorough cleaning is essential to prevent wear.

Whether you’re producing:

• Clear food packaging
• Multi-layer barrier films
• Durable industrial sheeting

…a high-performance purging compound can enhance every phase of the manufacturing process.

Easy Integration with Long-Term Benefits

The good news is that implementing a purging process doesn’t require major changes. Many suppliers offer a free sample, making it easy to test and validate the results on your own blown film extruder.

Once integrated, purging becomes a simple step that pays off in:

• Cleaner startups
• Fewer production errors
• More consistent film quality
• Lower long-term maintenance costs

The Bottom Line

For blown film producers aiming to improve efficiency, a purging compound for blown film production is more than a maintenance tool—it’s a strategic advantage. By reducing waste, shortening changeovers, and improving film properties, it allows you to meet growing demands in the packaging industry with greater consistency and confidence.

Try a free sample and see how the right purging solution can transform your blown film extrusion line.

Browse our purging products today!

TLDR:

• Purging compounds reduce downtime in electronics manufacturing
• Prevent contamination in wire coating and transparent applications
• Improve product quality by eliminating black specks and residue
• Support efficient cleaning of hot runners and extruders
• Boost cost effectiveness across injection molding and extrusion processes

In the competitive world of electronics manufacturing, every second on the production line counts. Downtime, contamination, and poor-quality outputs aren’t just frustrating—they’re expensive. One of the most overlooked tools for solving these challenges is the purging compound.

Designed for effective cleaning of processing equipment, purging compounds play a key role in improving efficiency across a wide range of extrusion processes and injection molding machines, especially when it comes to delicate applications like wire coating, plastic wire extruders, and hot runner systems.

The Role of Purging in Electronics Manufacturing

Electronics manufacturers rely on highly precise machinery, including wire and cable extruders, PVC wire extruders, and blow molding systems. These machines often process resins that must be completely free from contamination—especially in transparent applications, where even a hint of leftover material can create visible defects.

The purging process helps remove old resin, degraded material, and colorants from the machine. Whether you’re transitioning between different materials or simply cleaning before a shutdown, using a performing purging compound ensures that your system is fully flushed and ready for the next run.

Benefits of Using Purging Compounds

Investing in the right purging compound grade brings clear advantages to your manufacturing process:

• Reduces machine downtime during material or color changeovers
• Prevents black specks, streaks, and defects in finished components
• Supports better product quality and fewer rejects
• Cuts down on manual cleaning and maintenance
• Increases the lifespan of screws, barrels, and hot runners

These benefits are especially critical in wire and cable production, where contamination can compromise insulation integrity or lead to regulatory issues.

Tailored for Wire and Cable Extrusion

When producing wire coatings, any contamination can cause bubbles, discoloration, or structural weaknesses. Wire coating extruders often work at high speeds, making cost effectiveness a top priority. That’s where chemical purging compounds and mechanical purging compounds come in.

Mechanical compounds physically scrub the barrel and screw, while chemical options break down stubborn residue. For many plastic wire extruder applications, a hybrid approach works best, delivering both cleaning power and material compatibility.

Using the right purging compound helps manufacturers keep their wire coating extruder running smoothly, without lengthy teardown or production delays.

Purging in Hot Runner and Blow Molding Systems

For facilities using hot runner systems or blow molding, purging compounds also play a vital role. Hot runners are especially sensitive to leftover material, which can degrade and clog flow channels. Purging compounds designed for hot runners provide gentle yet thorough cleaning, without damaging precision components.

In blow molding, where bottle walls must remain clear and uniform, a purging step between color or resin changes eliminates color streaks and black specks that would otherwise result in scrap.

The Bottom Line: A Smart Investment in Efficiency

Purging compounds aren’t just for cleanup—they’re a key part of running a cleaner, faster, and more profitable production line. By choosing the right purging compound for transparent applications and extrusion needs, electronics manufacturers can achieve better product quality, less downtime, and significant operational savings.

Ready to improve your process? Explore a tailored purging compound grade that meets your application needs and keeps your line running at peak performance.

Browse our purging products today!

TLDR:

• Purging compounds reduces downtime in automotive part production
• Help maintain tight tolerances and improve quality control
• Cut scrap rates and extend equipment life
• Ideal for injection molding, blow molding, and hot runners
• Cost-effective solution for high-performance manufacturing runs

In the fast-paced world of automotive manufacturing, every minute counts—and so does every part. Working with injection molding machines/hot runner systems or blow molding applications? Efficiency and precision are everything. For many manufacturers, purging compounds for automotive parts are a smart solution to reduce contamination, improve part consistency, and extend equipment life.

But are they worth the investment? Let’s break it down.

Why the Automotive Industry Relies on Purging

The automotive industry demands tight tolerances, excellent surface finish, and consistent color throughout long production runs. Whether it’s instrument panels, consoles, trim, or under-the-hood components, automotive parts require flawless execution.

During the manufacturing process, material or color changes can introduce contaminants and residue that negatively impact quality. This is especially problematic in hot runner tooling and high processing temperatures where residual material tends to bake on and degrade.

Purging compounds utilized for automotive applications are designed to remove residual resin, colorant, and carbon buildup without disassembling your equipment. That means fewer delays, better product integrity, and improved quality control.

Operational Benefits of Purging Compounds

Using a high-quality purging compound can drastically improve your plant’s productivity. Here’s how they support a more efficient operation:

• Reduce machine downtime between material or color changes
• Effectively clean screws, barrels, and hot runner systems
• Maintain color consistency to avoid scrap and rework
• Minimize wear on equipment by reducing manual cleaning
• Improve first-shot quality for fewer rejected parts and a faster return to production
• Extend the life of tooling and processing equipment

These benefits are especially valuable when working with tight tolerance parts or high-performance engineering resins commonly used in today’s automotive applications.

Cost Effectiveness: Do the Numbers Add Up?

Although chemical purging compounds, or mechanical purging compounds, and hybrid purging compounds come at an upfront cost, the return on investment is typically quick and measurable. Think about how much a single hour of machine downtime or a rejected lot of parts costs your operation. Now consider this:

• A single use of a high-quality purging compound may reduce changeover time by up to 50%
• You’ll see fewer defective parts, reducing material waste and scrap
• Less manual cleaning means longer equipment life and lower maintenance costs

In the competitive automotive market, these cost savings can make a noticeable difference on the bottom line.

Choosing the Right Purging Compound Supplier

Not all compounds are created equal. When selecting a purging compound supplier for automotive applications, make sure they understand the specific demands of automotive processes, including injection molding, blow molding, and hot runner systems.

A good supplier will help you match the right compound to your materials, equipment, and process(es) to ensure the best results across the board.

The Bottom Line: Yes, They’re Worth It

For molders aiming to stay ahead in the automotive industry, investing in purging compounds for automotive parts is not just cost effective—it’s essential. With improved productivity, more reliable part quality, and fewer disruptions, these specialized materials can pay for themselves quickly.

In short, a reliable purging compound for automotive molders isn’t just a maintenance tool. It’s a strategic upgrade for your operation.

Browse our purging products today!

TLDR:

• Purging compounds reduce downtime in plastic film and sheet extrusion
• Speed up material and color changes during production
• Help maintain sheet thickness and dimensional stability
• Lower scrap rates and improve film quality
• Support consistent output in food packaging and industrial film applications

In today’s competitive packaging industry, uptime is everything. For manufacturers of plastic materials—especially those producing plastic film and sheet—minimizing downtime can make the difference between profit and loss. One of the most effective and often overlooked tools for keeping sheet and film extrusion lines running smoothly is the strategic use of purging compounds.

Whether you’re working with plastic film, plastic sheet, or film products used in food packages and industrial packaging solutions, routine purging can have a major impact on your efficiency and bottom line.

Why Downtime Happens in Film and Sheet Extrusion

The film and sheet extrusion process involves melting plastic material and forcing it through a die to form continuous rolls of thin, uniform product. This process must be tightly controlled to maintain dimensional stability and exact sheet thickness. Even small disruptions—like color changes, resin transitions, or contamination—can throw off the entire manufacturing process.

Common causes of downtime include:

• Residual material from a previous run contaminating new resin
• Pigment hang-up creating streaks or haze in sheet film
• Gels or black specks reducing product clarity and surface quality
• Inconsistent output requiring frequent adjustments at chill rolls

When these issues occur, production halts, scrap rates rise, and costs increase.

The Power of Purging in Plastic Film and Sheet Manufacturing

Purging compounds are designed to clean the plastics extrusion system quickly and thoroughly. They work by displacing the previous material and scrubbing away residue from the barrel, screw, and die head.

For plastic film and sheeting lines, this means:

• Faster material and color changeovers
• Less manual teardown and cleaning
• Lower scrap rates during startup
• Improved consistency in sheeting or film products

By using the right purging strategy, manufacturers can avoid long cleanup cycles, reduce labor, and get back to producing saleable goods faster.

Supporting a Wide Variety of Applications

Plastic film and sheet manufacturing spans a wide range of materials and applications, including:

• Food packages requiring crystal-clear film
• Multi-layer plastic film for barrier protection
• Thick gauge plastic sheet for industrial uses
• Flexible and rigid sheet extrusion for custom products

No matter the application, purging compounds help maintain clean machinery and smooth output during every transition.

Long-Term Benefits for Manufacturers

Incorporating purging into your regular maintenance routine improves more than just one run. It contributes to long-term stability and cost control by:

• Extending equipment life
• Enhancing product quality
• Improving throughput on plastic sheet and film lines
• Reducing the frequency of unplanned stops

Ultimately, it enables consistent, high-output performance across your entire film extrusion operation.

The Bottom Line

For any business involved in plastic film and sheet extrusion, reducing downtime is a strategic priority. By using purging compounds effectively, manufacturers can speed up transitions, maintain quality, and cut operating costs—all while producing a wide variety of reliable, high-performance film and sheeting products.

In today’s demanding market, smart purging means smart manufacturing.

Count on Purgex for your film and sheet extrusion processes!